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.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Keep your Promise

Scripture/Bible:  His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure! 30 Now we know that you know all things, and need none to question you; by this we believe that you came from God." 31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32 The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:29-33

Reflection:  How erratic human beings can be in their decision making and choices.

Rarely, static or firm in their promises and thinking, of course, their frailty and mortality are other factors whereby they cannot take firm decisions. Yet they even overlook these factors when they give assurances and make promises most of the time.

If there were no institutions and bonds or testament papers to safe guard these elements then we would have been even worse.

I sometimes think about the whole institution of marriage too, besides the open confession of love till death do us apart and the signing of the bond, the jealousy and hurt that could come in through betrayal and fear of rift. If these fear of conflicts were not the binding principle then even marriages would have got much easily disintegrated and things would have been even worse than it is now.      

This human trend is very disturbing, they forget their promises to each other (not always, but don’t want to fulfill it, even if it is based on right thought and reason and right action)

Should he not do something about this problem, especially concerning the highest value of life, that is, his obedience to God?

He experiences him and then divorces him, he receives the seed of the word of God and then loses it, not receiving it with open mind and heart, with a sense of dedication and commitment. 

Why is this special hostility to truth and the truth of God and all that he has to offer?  

If we know and acknowledge this problem than half the battle is won, because he will seek the salvation that he offers us in Christ as constant remedy and balm, through great sorrow and regret depending on him and his grace alone.

  

"With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."  Mark 10:27

Prayer: Lord you said, unless you build the house the laborers labor in vain, I surrender my heart in all humility to you to be built by you (cfr. Ps. 1227:1)

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us