We cause no one to stumble in anything,
in order that no fault may be found with our ministry;
on the contrary, in everything we commend ourselves
as ministers of God, through much endurance,
in afflictions, hardships, constraints....
T he recent celebration of fifty years as a Franciscan priest has given me reason to reflect upon the young man who was and the old man who has become. Saint Paul's bold declaration, "We cause no one to stumble..." reminds me of Sir Edmund Spencer's adventures of the Red Knight, as told in his book length poem, The Faerie Queen.
The Red Knight, hearing of a monstrous ogre who lived in a cave and ate everyone who ventured into his hole, resolved to go in and kill him. However, upon entering the darkness with sword in hand, he found only a naked old man sitting upon a pile of human bones. The fellow appeared weak and quite harmless. But as they engaged in conversation the wretch reminded the young gallant of all the sins he'd already committed, and all the sins he would commit. He asked the gallant knight what was the point of such a misguided, destructive life.
"What is the good of living?" said Despair. "The longer you live the more sins you commit. All those great battles that you are so proud of winning, all this strife and bloodshed and revenge, which are praised now, hereafter you will be sorry for. Has not your evil life lasted long enough?"
There came to his conscience such a vivid memory of all his wrongdoings....
Within a few minutes our hero was reduced to sniveling pathos and was about to kill himself with the sword he'd carried in the cause of Justice. Fortunately, his girlfriend Una rushed in and hauled him out of the cave.
After fifty years, I have to wonder how many I've caused to stumble, and whether it's worth the risk of going any farther.
"Fie, fie, faint-hearted Knight!" she cried.... 'Let no vain words deceive your manly heart, nor wicked thoughts dismay your brave spirit. Have you not a share in heavenly mercy? Why should you then despair who have been chosen to fight the good fight?
If there is Justice, there is also Forgiveness, which soothes the anguish of remorse and blots out the record of sin. Arise, Sir Knight, arise and leave this evil place.'"
I have learned to choose my thoughts carefully, and to listen both to the reassurances of others and the priestly words of absolution:
God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God is pleased with penance but not with remorse. The former recognizes the mercy of God; the latter is self-indulgent pathos. Valiant souls in the Lord's service make better use for their time.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.