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Gospel Reflection 20071209

Planning for the future is a good thing. Missing the present is not.
Over the centuries, Christians have been criticized for living either too much in the past or too much in the future. We are challenged to focus our attention on today. Loving God and loving our neighbor demand that we be involved in the lives of the people around us and the events that are happening now.

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The Concept of Sin
December 9, 2007

Second Sunday of Advent


Gospel
Mt 3:1-12

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
A voice of one crying out in the desert,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
John wore clothing made of camel’s hair
and had a leather belt around his waist.
His food was locusts and wild honey.
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,
and the whole region around the Jordan
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
And do not presume to say to yourselves,
‘We have Abraham as our father.’
For I tell you,
God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.
Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit
will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,
but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.
I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand.
He will clear his threshing floor
and gather his wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”




Today’s Gospel provides a very straightforward message. John the Baptist urges us to admit to our sinful condition and to continually do everything we can to overcome it. In today’s politically correct world it’s a major challenge for each of us to admit that our default is to regularly fall short of how God wants us to live our lives. Without putting out any effort, we tend to, at best, worship the law or material things in place of our God. People seem to spend more time trying to change laws in an effort to improve society than to lead people to Christ. We’re continually told that we must be accepting of one another, and it’s only when we enter territory that is deemed “illegal” that we should examine our choices. This is a good thing, however, John the Baptist urges us to challenge ourselves further by striving to meet God’s standards in addition to the standards of this World. The United States is a great place to live since US citizens enjoy freewill, the way God intended. However, in order to successfully live as God desires we must continually reject the human tendency towards sin. In other words, we must work to eliminate our bad habits and develop good habits. As St. John urges us, “every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.“ This will not happen without devoting our full attention to the problem of sin and without the full cooperation of both ourselves and other followers of Christ. There’s no reason to sugarcoat the reality. This type of work is the most difficult work you will ever do in your life here on Earth. If you’re struggling with sin and need assistance, please don’t wait any longer. Reach out to Godly people and allow them to help you… I don’t know of any true follower of Christ that will not be willing to help. If you’re doing well with suppressing the desire to sin in your life, go out and assist others that may not be so fortunate as you. God has allowed each of our lives here on Earth so that we may help one another to gain the opportunity to eventually live in true Peace and Love in Heaven. Remember, Christmas is not just about the tree, presents, time off, visiting family, elves, Santa, etc. Don’t miss this opportunity! “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.“

What is sin? It’s all explained here in detail:
Commandments 1 through 3 - http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt1ind.htm
Commandments 4 through 10 - http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2ind.htm

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St. Sabas

(b. 439)


Born in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey), Sabas is one of the most highly regarded patriarchs among the monks of Palestine and is considered one of the founders of Eastern monasticism.
After an unhappy childhood in which he was abused and ran away several times, Sabas finally sought refuge in a monastery. While family members tried to persuade him to return home, the young boy felt drawn to monastic life. Although the youngest monk in the house, he excelled in virtue.

At age 18 he traveled to Jerusalem, seeking to learn more about living in solitude. Soon he asked to be accepted as a disciple of a well-known local solitary, though initially he was regarded as too young to live completely as a hermit. Initially, Sabas lived in a monastery, where he worked during the day and spent much of the night in prayer. At the age of 30 he was given permission to spend five days each week in a nearby remote cave, engaging in prayer and manual labor in the form of weaving baskets. Following the death of his mentor, St. Euthymius, Sabas moved farther into the desert near Jericho. There he lived for several years in a cave near the brook Cedron. A rope was his means of access. Wild herbs among the rocks were his food. Occasionally men brought him other food and items, while he had to go a distance for his water.

Some of these men came to him desiring to join him in his solitude. At first he refused. But not long after relenting, his followers swelled to more than 150, all of them living in individual huts grouped around a church, called a laura.

The bishop persuaded a reluctant Sabas, then in his early 50s, to prepare for the priesthood so that he could better serve his monastic community in leadership. While functioning as abbot among a large community of monks, he felt ever called to live the life of a hermit. Throughout each year —consistently in Lent—he left his monks for long periods of time, often to their distress. A group of 60 men left the monastery, settling at a nearby ruined facility. When Sabas learned of the difficulties they were facing, he generously gave them supplies and assisted in the repair of their church.

Over the years Sabas traveled throughout Palestine, preaching the true faith and successfully bringing back many to the Church. At the age of 91, in response to a plea from the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Sabas undertook a journey to Constantinople in conjunction with the Samaritan revolt and its violent repression. He fell ill and, soon after his return, died at the monastery at Mar Saba. Today the monastery is still inhabited by monks of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and St. Sabas is regarded as one of the most noteworthy figures of early monasticism.

Comment:

Few of us share Sabas's yearning for a cave in the desert, but most of us sometimes resent the demands others place on our time. Sabas understands that. When at last he gained the solitude for which he yearned, a community immediately began to gather around him and he was forced into a leadership role. He stands as a model of patient generosity for anyone whose time and energy are required by others—that is, for all of us.

posted by Mike Young @ 6:18 AM