Dead Conscience

Today’s Gospel Text:  And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" 27 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." 28 And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live." 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, 34 and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:25-37

Reflection: Maybe, somewhere before I have discussed this point, but it is important to discuss this again and again because we as humans being think that mere knowledge is enough to change us or change others.

There are numerous agencies that teach through awareness exercises and found fantastic results in changing groups of people into doing something or bringing about a change.  They have managed to create a great revolution by appealing to the imagination of peoples and transforming society.

Some have done it through manipulations and false promises, hiding certain facts from the gullible, who sometimes have been the majority, carried away by these intrigues.

When it comes to the spiritual truths of life it is the same story when people allow themselves to be carried away by falsity and evil, without realizing that they have been taken for a ride. Membership and coffers are often the animating factors in such motivation. 

 

Can mere awareness exercises change people? Possibly, sometimes it may take years if they appeal to their imagination and there are  strong motivating factors.

What happens if: 
1) a person is in severe bondage of sin and lethargy, lacking the ability to change 
2) or what happens if a person knowing the truth still doesn’t want to change 
3) or is self deceived to relate mere knowledge with change?

There is hope for the above two factors but the third kind, which was manifested by the lawyer who posed the question to Jesus, is the worst form of disease, often steeped in pride  and ambition. The symptom of which is seen in the flaunting of ones knowledge and intellectual prowess but hidden behind a corruption of deadness.

Am I the knowledgable type in Christian doctrine and yet lacking virtue?

Prayer: Lord, by the working of your Holy Spirit, help me see the corruption of sin and deadness in me, so that I may change walk in your life.

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