So, then, I discover the principle
that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.
For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self,
but I see in my members another principle
at war with the law of my mind,
taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Which of us has not left the Church on Sunday morning feeling blessed and happy, only to be disappointed as we meet some frustration? Parents bringing their children out of church suddenly yell at them for acting childishly. Drivers curse under their breath as they jockey toward the parking lot exit. It comes in a thousand forms; and if you pray daily, the first thing in the morning, the same downer comes daily, and early. And then we blame them -- whoever they are -- for ruining my prayer!
More tortuous than anything is the human heart,beyond remedy; who can understand it?
I, the LORD, explore the mind
and test the heart,
Giving to all according to their ways,
according to the fruit of their deeds. Jeremiah 17:9-10
Saint Paul, prayer, and the Holy Spirit teach us to surrender that anxiety to the Lord. We have so little control of our thoughts, impulses, and urges. But life and prayer teach us patience. Given time for reflection, we remember things of long-ago that seemed important at the time, but we can't remember why they were important.
Things like my eternal salvation. That too is in God's hands; what can I do about it but surrender it to the God who is so good, and has demonstrated his goodness through good times and bad? God knows I tried to save myself. I tried to sanitize my mind and purify my impulses and direct my needs, and rein my reactions. All for naught!
God is good. I have a cloud of witnesses to assure me of that, and a lifetime of memories.
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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.