Word to the Wise
Friday, December 14, 2007 - St. John of the Cross, OCD
[Isaiah 48:17-19 and Matthew 11:16-19]I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go!
One of my student parishioners at Tulane would often ask, "What is God trying to teach us now?" I began to call it "Sarah's Question!" But that question has stuck with me and I find myself asking it in the midst of the daily challenges and bigger questions as well. The word "discernment" is much in use nowadays but I use it to describe the process I go through in trying to be prudent! Each morning I pray for mercy and wisdom. Listening to what seems to be God's teaching often requires that I just sit still for awhile and rest on the particular challenge (or collection of challenges). Isaiah continually calls Israel to fidelity and to discernment. In the time of Advent, that same call echoes down to us. This is more than deciding what one is going to buy or do for Christmas! It means a honest look at one's life and what the meaning of this season implies for that life. The blind refusal of many to give Jesus a break and instead insisting on branding him with all kinds of nasty comments as the gospel today shows might be a place to start. What does the birth of Jesus mean, if anything, for our lives. Does it change anything? What is the reason for this season? AMEN
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