MIRRORS

MIRRORS – 26^th Sunday Ordinary Time, Year C

            When we see others, and look into their lives in some way, we see ourselves reflected back. We see ourselves reflected in our families, and in people with similar experiences in education, age, faith and interests. We see want we are and want to be, and what we aren’t and don’t want to be. We may say “I want to look like that. I don’t want to look like that”. Depending on what area of life we are talking about, we make judgments and decisions on what we are and what we want to be, whether it’s in the emotional, mental or moral areas.

            The Scriptures give us descriptions of ourselves. They are meant to be a mirror for us to see into our moral and spiritual lives, our lives of faith and hope, our life with ourselves, with others, and with the Lord. When we look into them hopefully we say we want to change what we need to and continue to grow in the good ways we see reflected in ourselves.

            What Amos, Paul, and Jesus described also describes different people in our time. The prophet Amos was warning the complacent, and those who live an easy and immoral life only concerned for themselves, without concern for others. The prophet said they would be the first to go into exile, and “their wanton revelry shall be done away with”. Wanton revelry describes immoral living, and lack of concern for the law of God. Much of our nation’s entertainment favors and promotes wanton revelry, immoral activity, and lack of concern for the moral law, and the effects on others.

            Amos spoke his words to the self-centered and luxury loving rulers of Judah and Israel. The nation suffered greatly from its leaders at that time. The nation was eventually destroyed and taken over by the Assyrians because of its internal sins. The Israelites were taken into captivity. Many of them repented in captivity, and gradually the nation was rebuilt. They saw the harm in living against the moral law of God, and without concern for others. This pattern repeated and repeats itself in the lives of nations.

            Jesus describes the life of the rich man. He was simply called the rich man or Dives. He lived a very self-centered life. His own needs blinded him from seeing the needs of the poor man Lazarus who lay at his gate. We have such people in our nation, whose only concern is their own life. They pay no attention to the needs of others. They are not concerned if their life places burdens on others and even brings moral and spiritual harm to them. They miss their opportunities to be with others in good ways. Occasionally, they may see a reflection of themselves or suffer something major in their life, and decide to change. As Abraham said to the rich man, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if one should rise from the dead”.

            The saving death and resurrection of Jesus is not enough for some to live a moral and spiritual life based on the law and revelation of God. The Lord has to get people’s attention in other ways at times. We see that frequently in life. Suffering experiences can help people turn to the Lord, doing away with sin and living only for themselves. And of course life has such experiences which are graces of the mercy of God.             Paul’s words to Timothy are good words to us. He tells us to “pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness”. The righteous life is a good life, a whole life, a holy life lived in moral and spiritual harmony with one’s self, others, and the Lord. “I charge you before God…to keep the commandments without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ…” 

            We have people who reflect the life of Christ in their lives. When we see that in others and in ourselves, we can say that is what we need to promote and encourage. That is more what we want to be as a nation, a people, and individually. From the different descriptions of our nation and ourselves, we know what we want to look like.

            The best defense against living an immoral and unfaithful life is the positive seeking after and living the Gospel faith life teachings. “Blessed is he who keeps faith forever...” See clearly!

Reflection from Divine Mercy # 283

“Let no soul, even the most miserable, fall prey to doubt; for, as long as one is alive, each one can become a great saint, so great is the power of God’s grace. It remains only for us not to oppose God’s action.”