When I think of how often people (including myself) disobey God and do not follow his commandants, I have a vivid image of what that look might like to him. It is an image dear to my heart, because it is of my youngest daughter who is four years old. I picture her sweet, beautiful face which I love so much, her face is flushed and her eyes are tired. I have just told her that it is nap time, and she adamantly informs me that she does not need a nap, she is not tired. I chuckle inwardly because it is so obvious that she is in need of sleep. In fact her body deceives her words as she rubs her hands to her eyes, such a simple and clear sign that a child is tired. Sometimes her objection raises to tantrum like defense and she ends up on the floor crying and insisting through her tears that she really doesn’t need a nap, she not the least bit sleepy. There is a strange ache in my heart during these times, as I pick up my beloved little girl and carry her up to her bed. It is an ache that is different from ‘heartache’ pain, it seems deeper and also more abstract, I can’t really put it into words. I wonder if any parents out there understand what I am talking about. Her sweet refusal to accept the truth almost hurts my heart because I love her so much and I want her to be happy, but I also know what is best for her, and in this moment, it is clear. She needs to sleep. I wonder how often God our Father sees in us a tired four year old in need of a nap. He knows what we need, it is clear and obvious to him. An example could be going to Mass on Sunday. We may resist, wanting to sleep in or go shopping or indulge other superficial wants, yet He knows that receiving the Word and the Eucharist is exactly what we need. I wonder if it hurts his heart, not an actual pain, but one that cannot be described, as we choose to “skip our nap” so to speak, and break his commandments. We are adults after all, not little children, we are able to make our own choices because of God given free will. But are we not just children in the eyes of God?
The first reading today reminds us what we truly need: to listen to God and obey his commandments. Faith. Obedience. Blessing. This is the way it works, the bible reminds us time and time again. We must remain faithful to our Lord and put him first because that is the only thing that feeds our soul and saves our very life. Faith is a gift, and from our actions, i.e. our obedience, God knows that we have heard him and accepted this gift. We remember that even though God knows everything in our hearts, he still wants us to ask (pray), do (charity), and seek him always. It follows then, that even though God knows when we hear him, he still wants our actions to speak to the call we have received. I think again to the example of parenting my children. When they do not respond to me after I have asked something of them, I do not know if they have heard me. Even if I did know what their lips are not saying, I still want them to respond in words and actions in order to show me that they heard. Following God’s commandments is truly the action of an obedient child, as is following Jesus’ command to “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Jeremiah (7:28) reminds us that: “This is the nation which does not listen to the voice of the Lord, its God, or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.” How true this was and still is today! Secular society surrounds us at every turn and it is not faithful to God. We, the body of Christ, are all called to resist secular temptations, shake off our sinfulness, and return our whole hearts to God. I pray that He sees the response to this call.
In our gospel reading today we find Jesus amazing the crowds by driving out demons. It’s interesting to note that the skeptics in the crowd did not deny his actions, instead they decided that he must be driving out demons by the power of the devil. I love how Jesus responds by pointing out the obvious. Why would the devil drive out his own demons? That doesn’t make any sense. “And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand” (Luke 11:18)? Jesus reminds them that their own Jewish culture views the exorcisms preformed by their people as accomplished by the power of God. After establishing this, Jesus says something rather bold: “But if it is by the finger of God that [I] drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20). The conclusion to this discussion is clearly drawn. Whoever is not following God’s commandments, is not obeying God, and will not have the peace of the kingdom of God in his heart. Who is not for God is against him, and is therefor allowing the evil one to reside in him (or you could say, in his house). Whoever is not for the Son of God, is against the Son of God. This is a real challenge, and it can be a tough thing to digest; it brings us back to that first reading in which we are reminded to remain faithful, repent, and turn our hearts away from sin.
I purpose a spiritual exercise for us today. Let us picture ourselves as small children; a little child may not understand the reasons behind his parents rules and guidance, but he will thrive under structured, loving care. We are reminded that we cannot possibly understand all the whys of this world, only God can see the big picture and know what is truly best for us. We cannot fully understand God, but we can fully trust him. Let us gaze upon our heavenly Father today and remember how much he loves us. Let us not hide our face from him in shame, like a disobedient child, but instead face him in humility and ask him to help us. Let us obey him because it is right and just, our duty and our salvation.
Lord Jesus Christ, I love you and I trust you!
Amen.
