Moment of decision

Message in a Minute for Feb 17:

A moment of decision.

Today’s readings seem to focus on the fundamental decision that faces each human person: for God or against God.  In Jeremiah, we hear that the person who trusts only in human beings is cursed, while the person who trusts in the Lord is blessed.  St. Paul is facing a similar dilemma with his congregation in Corinth: either Jesus was raised, or he was not.  In the gospel, Jesus lays out blessings and woes.  Blessings if we follow after him.  Woes if we choose ourselves.

The Christian life is a really a life lived in the tension of this decision: for God or against God.  Belief that Christ is truly God, truly raised.  Or disbelief in the message of the gospel.  Each and every one of us is faced with this decision: for God or against God.

Now, if I took a poll at the parish and simply asked: are you for God or against him.  Not many of our parishioners would choose the “I am against God” box in the survey.  Right? Most people would say: of course, I’m for God.  But this moment of decision is not a question that is answered with our thoughts or our words.  This is not even a question that we answer with our hearts.  This fundamental moment of decision is a question that must be answered with our very lives.

Several years ago, there was this popular theory in moral theology called the fundamental option.  This theory basically stated that each person is faced with the fundamental question of being in union with God or separated from him. This fundamental question is answered once and for all in a person’s heart.  The daily affairs of a person’s life cannot affect one’s fundamental option. St. John Paul II rejected this theory in his wonderful letter Veritatis Splendor.  In that letter, St. John Paul II said that we are indeed faced with this fundamental decision.  But this question is answered in the decisive moments of our daily existence.  We cannot pretend that our hearts are set on God if our lives and our actions are not set on God as well.  Therefore, the decisive moment is the daily moment, choosing God every day and in every moment and action.

So, let the question hit you again today: what will you choose?

They want to throw Jesus off a cliff...

Jesus begins his ministry in the gospel this week.  Things start out pretty good.  All spoke highly of him.  All were amazed at the words that came from his mouth.  So far so good.  Then Jesus challenges them about wanting him to do miracles for him, and things go haywire real fast.  The passage ends with: they were all filled with fury, the rose up to drive him out of the town, they were going to throw him off a cliff.  I’ve been here at the Cathedral for about 7 months.  I’ve been very happy to be here, and everyone has been so nice. So far, I don’t think anyone wants to throw me off a cliff.  So, thanks!

What happened with these people in the gospel today?  I think it really highlights the difference between the heart and the mind.  See, with the mind, the people were happy to hear about Jesus.  They spoke well of him.  They were amazed at his words.  But, then, his words cut them to the heart.  He demanded that they change.  Result: they were ready to throw him off the cliff.

Now, each of us here might say “I would never throw Jesus off of a cliff.”  True, I would hope not.  But, how quick are we to convert our hearts?  How quick are we to change our ways?  That can really be tough.  The words of Jesus should fill our minds with delight.  We should speak highly and be amazed at the words of Christ.  But, what about letting the words change our hearts?

We have no better example of just how to change our hearts than the reading we just heard from St. Paul.  This is St. Paul’s great treatise on love.  This is such an amazing and inspiring reading.  It is definitely the most popular reading for people to choose for their wedding.  Love is patient, love is kind, on and on.  Amazing words.  But, they can be painful to hear.  These words should be a checklist for every Christian.  Remember, Jesus said “my commandment is this, love one another as I have loved you.”  That means we need to be kind, patient, humble, not jealous, or inflated, or quick tempered.  When I read this list, I can instantly think of the many ways that I have failed to live up to these expectations.  Maybe I haven’t thrown Jesus off a cliff, but my heart still has a long way to go in order to be loving like Jesus.

But, don’t let this list depress you.  Rather, let this list inspire you.  Imagine for just a moment if every person in this church was able to live out this list perfectly.  Can you imagine the difference in the world?  It would be amazing.  Imagine if you and your spouse lived it out every day.  Imagine if everyone in your family lived it out.  Isn’t that inspirational?

How do we do it?  Bear with me for a moment.  I want to talk about Greek grammar.  Hopefully no one will fall asleep.  St. Paul’s original text is in Greek.  The way he wrote this passage is really interested.  When talking about love, he uses all verbs.  It’s really not possible to bring that into English, that is why the translation we have is just fine: love is patient.  But, St. Paul actually says: love patients, love kinds, love doesn’t jealous, it doesn’t pompous, etc.  In other words, love isn’t so much about our thoughts.  Love is about our actions.  John Mayer has a song on his born and raised album called: Love is a verb. Perfect.  He says: love ain’t a thing.  Love is a verb.  

In my opinion, this is what the people get wrong in the gospel.  Their minds were fine.  But, their actions were bad.  Maybe the same is true for us.  We hear St. Paul’s list and it just sounds terrific.  Now, it’s time to make those words verbs in our own lives.  

Love never fails.  St. Paul’s challenge to us today is simply, but difficult.  Make love a verb in own lives.