Word to the Wise
Saturday, January 13, 2007 - First Saturday in Ordinary Time [St. Hilary of Poitiers]
[Hebrews 4:12-16 and Mark 2:13-17]The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
I come from a small town in Louisiana. I now live in a rural area of Kentucky. I am well aware of the way people "pay attention" to what is going on. It can range from where I grocery shop or go to the doctor or park my car! The anonymity of big city living is not the reality out here. Add to this the capable observation and scrutiny of nearly 100 Dominican sisters, and the students, faculty and staff of a small Catholic college. I think you'll understand why I live by this principle: I've never anywhere that no one knows me! That being the case, how could I, as a person of faith, presume that I could escape the scrutiny of God's word which I must preach and proclaim daily? It would be easy to get scrupulous or paranoid about all this. I don't. I live in a world of accountability for what I do and say. It's not a matter of being "Oh so careful!" as it is being consistent in integrity and purpose. That doesn't make me perfect by any means. My faults have been recited to me many times by exasperated folks. But, I try to do the best I can consistent with what I know in the word of God. I think most of us do. Nevertheless, we have to take account of the word of God which stands as witness and judge of our lives now and at the end of time. That word is living and effective. It can be our companion and mentor or it can be our prophet and judge. It may be both at different points in our lives. AMEN