and he enters into trial with Israel.
O my people, what have I done to you,
or how have I wearied you? Answer me!
Catholics recognize the Lord's plea from the Book of the Prophet Micah as a song from our Good Friday Service. It must remind us both of the Lord's patience and of our persistent turning from Him. Created in the image of God, we should find our freedom in reflecting the joyful obedience of both the Son and the Holy Spirit to the Father, who in turn surrenders all authority in heaven and earth to them. Our place within that joyous communion finds expression in divinely inspired creativity.
But, since the day Adam and Eve heard Satan's insinuating sneer and took his advice, we have supposed we might find a better way than obedience to our Creator. Preferring a faux creativity, we continually experiment with what feels good and appears right. Predictably, that creativity lacks originality for it only copies the Original Sin.
We are like sheep without a shepherd; our eyes, being too close to the ground, cannot see over the nearby hills and the threats that come from every direction.
Distressed by the calamities we have brought upon ourselves, but nonetheless hypocritical, we ask ourselves:
With what shall I come before the LORD,and bow before God most high?Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,with calves a year old?
The real answer, although we have been told, also lies beyond of our range of vision:
You have been told, O man, what is good,and what the LORD requires of you:Only to do the right and to love goodness,and to walk humbly with your God.
Shall I give my first-born for my crime,the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Rather than our children, God tells us to sacrifice His first-born Son for our crimes, the fruit of Mary's body for the sins of our soul. This is a sacrifice we can make as we celebrate the Mass and contemplate the marvelous work that God has done for us.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
sing of his glorious name;
give him glorious praise.
Say to God: “How awesome your deeds!
Before your great strength your enemies cringe.
All the earth falls in worship before you;
they sing of you, sing of your name!” Psalm 66
