Word to the Wise
Saturday, January 18, 2025 - Saturday in the 1st Week in Ordinary Time
[Heb 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. ...For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. [Hebrews]
Many of us are familiar with George Orwell's famous novel, 1984, which was made into a movie with the catchline, BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU! The advent of the internet and social media and, now, A.I (artificial intelligence) has raised big questions about personal privacy! Gadgets such as ALEXA and SIRI pay attention to what we are asking about. Computers are subject to "hacking," which makes all kinds of records and correspondence vulnerable. I also recall the motion picture: 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY with the eerie lethal computer named HAL. All of this can create a feeling of considerable discomfort when one thinks about it long enough. So, what about the "word of God" as described in the Letter to the Hebrews in today's first scripture?
How do we live with such an all-pervasive presence all around and inside of us? We can pull the plug on anything that runs on created energy. But we cannot "pull the plug" on God! The Letter to the Hebrews assures us that God's all pervasive presence is a benevolent one, but many people see this as an impersonal and rather dangerous and punitive presence. At best, many treat the sacrament of reconciliation as "guilt relief" rather than an encounter with merciful love, welcoming the sinner back. (Truth be told, many confessors share that negative juridical notion and frustrate both the sacrament and the penitent.) Some traditional Catholic piety and catechesis have placed too much emphasis on "the loss of heaven and the pains of hell" to the exclusion of a loving God who is worthy of "all our love." Fear can be a powerful motivator, yes. But so can love. Which one works most in us? We can be sure the word of God knows and wants to embrace us instead of settling for an "arms' length" distant relationship. AMEN
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