The Beatitudes or the works of mercy can be forms of examination of conscience to see how we live out God’s call
The readings on the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time are an echo of a call we hear throughout the Scriptures to remember and to act on that remembrance. St. Paul reminds us that we have been called from a very humble state in our lives. None of us has earned the incredible privilege of being loved and gifted by God in so many ways. None of us has earned the grace of God, but all of us have been the gracious recipients of God’s mercy. Why is it important for us to remember this original calling of ours?
There are two major reasons to remember our proper place in relationship with God. First, if we don’t remember that we are humble, lowly and dependent upon the grace and mercy of God, we might become arrogant and entitled. We might begin to look at others we think aren’t living the wonderful life we are living and judge them as less than ourselves and unworthy of God’s love. We might opt for division and disunity against God’s vision. We might even begin to believe that we are better and wiser than God. Wouldn’t that be a tragedy? Let’s not miss the opportunity to do some personal reflection about any way that those arrogant thoughts might have crept into our minds and hearts. It calls for a great personal examination of conscience for each of us. Maybe we can use the Gospel reading on the Beatitudes or the corporal and spiritual works of mercy as forms of an examination of conscience.
The second reason to remember that we are humble and lowly in our need for God’s mercy and love is that we will not be in a proper relationship with God unless we have that attitude. With a humble, lowly attitude, we might be more willing to surrender to the wisdom of God. When we hear God tell us that we need to spend more time with the sick, the naked, the hungry, the homeless, the lost and the forsaken, we might actually surrender to that wisdom instead of fighting it so often. When we hear that we are supposed to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us, we might more readily submit to the wisdom of God if we had the virtue of humility.
Daily living, with its habits and routines, can be a place to hide from God’s will. Since there is little to challenge us to grow and become better disciples of Jesus in our own status quo, we tend to just stick with our own attitudes and behavior without much self-examination. It is easier to keep doing what we’re doing, even if it’s the wrong thing, if we don’t have something to wake us up and make us more conscious of the unconscious parts of our lives. The Scriptures this weekend are a perfect tool for that.
To submit to the will of God and become humble and lowly will create inconvenience, discomfort, insecurity and anxiety. Why would anybody in their right mind make any choice that is going to create those consequences? If you’re getting back into the routine of regular exercise, the first few days are usually painful. Sometimes we stop because it hurts, but the pain of regular exercise eventually gives way to a healthier way of life. Before anyone has a hip or knee replacement, there’s pain, but there’s also pain after the surgery. The difference is that the pain after the surgery will eventually lessen and healing will take place.
God asks us to remember our original calling to be His humble and lowly servants in the world and to shed arrogance and entitlement.
Father Donald Wester is retired and serves as lecturer of homiletics at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
