wherever it pleases him, he directs it.
All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes,
but it is the LORD who proves hearts.
To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
The Book of Proverb suggests ways to assess our spiritual life and emotional well-being, while revealing the purity and goodness of God. Catholic philosophers and great novelists like Dostoevski insist that there is neither judgment nor morality if there is no God. Without the standards of God's perfect goodness, purity, beauty, holiness, justice, and courage we can neither know ourselves nor anyone else. In The Brothers Karamzov, the brothers Ivan and Pavel Smerdyakov conspire to murder their father Fyodor because they agree there is no God to judge them; and, if no one knows of their crime, the parricide means nothing.
We recognize the arrogant because they think they are gods. But without God they should not be resented. Why would I resent someone who is luckier than me? I would live as they do if Lady Luck -- who has neither plan, expectation, or purpose -- had favored me. Without God I must accept my unhappy fate. "Grin and bear it!" as they say.
But the idea of God persuades me that no one can be truly powerful, good, beautiful, or happy compared with incomperable Perfection of God. And since God has revealed his actual existence and continues to speak through the Church, I know the arrogant will be brought low on Judgment Day. So long as Mercy and Justice are real -- and not just vague ideas for Nietzsche's weak-minded -- I'd be a fool to resent the destiny of the damned.
Reminded that I am a sinner delights me, since that proves God's existence; and that I am reasonably happy, that God is merciful.
And when I think of the saints, especially of Mary, the Mother of God who appears in today's gospel, I am delighted. There are people more blessed than me who live in obscure poverty, as she did! I hear that reassurance when He says:
“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
