Word to the Wise
Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - Twenty-eighth Tuesday in Ordinary Time
[Romans 1:16-25 and Luke 11:37-41]For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them. Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse; for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks.......They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever.
A fascinating book could be written about the many "moods" of St. Paul. Perhaps that book has already been written. In any case, one may surely say of him that he could "tell it like it is!" The Letter to the Romans, which represents some of his most profound theological thought, wastes no time in going after those who turn a blind eye, deaf ear, closed mind, and hard heart to what St. Paul considers obvious to the seeing eye, listening ear, open mind and welcoming heart: that God exists and must be worshiped by all creation! These opening words from Romans form the basis for much of the Catholic understanding of "natural theology." Psalm 18 sings, "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament proclaims his handiwork...." I admit that it is hard for me to understand how anyone can gaze on the Grand Canyon or stand on the Pacific shore (as I do each Summer) and see this simply in a material context! Or how can someone recognize the beauty in creation and still not recognize the Creator! It is obvious that St. Paul had little patience with folks who see things and see them only as things and perhaps even worship these things. On a broad scale, the exploitation of environment and degradation of the planet in the name of economic gain represent the worst form of the kind of abuse St. Paul attacks. The many distractions and demands of daily life in our frantic American society can blind us to the beauty around us that speaks of God's love. We can grow attached to the beautiful "things" and recognize them as beautiful, but when we do, they easily become another consumer item. If we see them as messengers of God, we may be grateful for their presence and cherish their message! The choice is ours. But St. Paul's thundering words may help us make that decision! AMEN
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