They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
As a child I was taught to examine my conscience; I should consider my thoughts, words, and deeds under the lens of the Ten Commandments to discover any sins I might have committed. If some of these awful things seemed like victimless crimes, I should nonetheless confess them when the opportunity came.
But really, who can remember all their sins? And does the priest really want to hear about my wicked thoughts? I mean, come on!
The scriptures today give us two examples of sinful thinking. First, King David orders his soldiers to take a census of the region and the people under his command. His General Joab doubts the wisdom of this move and says,
“May the LORD your God increase the number of people a hundredfold for my lord the king to see it with his own eyes. But why does it please my lord to do a thing of this kind?”
But the army followed the king's orders and took the census, and God was displeased. What was David thinking? It's not clear, but the last judge Samuel had expressed severe reservations about kingship with all its trappings. The impulse to census must lead toward bureaucracy with all its complexity, policies, delays, resistance, privileges, and entitlements. Next you'll want a standing army! And perhaps a navy. Nothing good can come of it.
Wouldn't it be simpler if everyone agreed to obey God and do the right thing? Can a government do what the people won't do?
But a royal government was established with Jerusalem as its capital, and a long line of Davidic successors. Most of them were deplorable but some governed wisely.
The gospel also tells a story of wicked thoughts. The Lord's family, friends, and neighbors are first astonished and then suspicious of their native son. "Where did he get all this?" they ask. It's uncomfortable; it's unfamiliar; we don't know where this is going. Who is he to stand before us with such authority? We don't like it.
As we practice the examination of conscience -- or better, the daily examen -- we learn to remember and watch our thoughts. We learn to not go there! when we suspect this train of thought is not bound for glory. Experience is knowing I've made this mistake before.
Moses warned us with the Ten Commandments, We should not covet a neighbor's lifestyle, privilege, property, possessions, or spouse. But aren't our thoughts invisible to others? Who really knows what we're thinking? Who is harmed?
When covetousness becomes habitual, it rearranges the synapses in one's brain. It directs unpleasant feelings toward anxiety, appears in eye movements and facial expressions, and manifests in unfortunate words and deeds.
David regretted the thoughts that led to a census after it incurred God's wrath. He forgot that our God is a jealous God who can govern, guide, and discipline his people. If the LORD wants a complex government, he will direct the king to build one; but the initiative will remain with God! Likewise, the people's suspicion of Jesus can lead only to infidelity to the One God has sent.
We learn not to go there with the practice of faith. We know our Good God watches and knows what we're thinking. We watch with him, and listen continually for his voice,
No longer will your Teacher hide himself,
but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher,And your ears shall hear a word behind you:“This is the way; walk in it,”when you would turn to the right or the left. Isaiah 30:20
Your bio says “ He has authored a Daily Homily Blog for over ten years and has been spared virology.” what does that mean?
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