I get
distracted too, by things small enough for me to handle: small sadnesses and
things none of us can change, like Nats losses, the cold spring’s destruction
of the cherry and plum crops, and this month’s record heat. Like you, my day is filled with
practicalities and procedures: administrative details, Archdiocesan
requirements, recreational opportunities.
It’s a life.
Pelting us
daily is a litany of things that we are told we should be concerned about, the
work of politicians, activists, and advocates.
Narratives are spun for us to accept, to shape our understanding of the
world and bring our behavior into line with someone else’s expectations. Our critical filter can only accomplish so
much to maintain the clear vision and moral freedom that we all like to assume
we have.
Beneath it
all is a drumbeat of our own helplessness, our dependence upon somebody else,
some person who stands ready, some bright individual or brilliant group who can
fix this for us, and make it right. They
tell you that this death, this loss, this injustice could have been prevented,
and they can make it right.
Ignore the
drumbeat.
Human
selfishness and false religion are at work in the world devouring souls and
destroying lives. Devastation in the
dormitories and death on the promenade are the fruit of a repeated rejection of
the one and only offer that can give any assurance or joy in this life. Death wants you and wants me, and claims millions
of hands for helpers.
There is
evidence enough both at home and abroad to point our hearts and minds in the
only direction that offers us relief. There
is one response that gives refuge, one action that will bear fruit, one effort
that effects change. This response, this
action, is within in reach of me and of you, and requires neither activism nor
advocacy, no policy change nor procedural perseverance.
Rend your
hearts, not your garments. Draw near to
Christ and lay hold of Him as Lord. Turn
away from the noise and news that fills your ears and your head with
manipulation and disinformation, and turn to Him who has the words of
everlasting life. Pour out your tears
not for petty losses or personal griefs, but for your own sins.
Throw away
your yard signs and lapel pins and go to confession, go to communion, and go to
the Lord Jesus. Stop arguing, stop
advocating, and pray: listen for the
still small voice that is the hallmark of God With Us. Do not let anger turn you from the work of
love; do not let what is wrong with the world deter you from lamenting what is
wrong with you.
God has
given us great power in giving us His Son.
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
He has changed death into the path to life. He has given us the ability to change the
biggest obstacle to joy and freedom: our own hearts.
Come! Join me!
Let us rush to Him for the freedom and life that we crave!
Then I get
distracted.
Monsignor Smith
