7 Sept 2016
Jesus did not give us a detailed instruction book on how to
live. Yes, he said to love our neighbor
and to be forgiving; but what if those who have trespassed against us aren’t
sorry? What if our neighbor is somebody
we really ought to keep at a distance?
What about politics and voting? After all, Jesus isn’t running for public
office—flawed human beings are; who are you supposed to vote for? And what about decisions regarding health,
especially end-of-life decisions where suddenly the choice to live or die is
placed in our hands? What are we
supposed to do? Jesus didn’t give us a
detailed instruction book to answer these questions. But he did give us principles.
This is how Saint Paul can say, “I have no commandment from
the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. So this is what I think best because of the
present distress . . . .” And the
principle he employs is found in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours. Blessed
are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied.”
The divine principle Saint Paul uses is one that says: “It is
better to put your hopes in what is eternal, rather than in what only
temporarily fulfills.” It’s the
principle that underlies the Beatitudes, as well as Saint Paul’s “opinion.” You know, Jesus could’ve said, “The pleasures
of earth are fine, but there’s something more in store—just remember that;” but
he didn’t. Instead, he gave us a principle.
And, in many ways, a principle is more helpful and more
merciful than a list of black-and-white commandments—because principles can be
applied to all those life situations that Jesus didn’t explicitly talk about;
all those life situations which aren’t touched on in the pages of Sacred
Scripture.
And so, if we’re ever at a loss for what to do in life,
instead of praying for an answer, try praying for the principle that will lead to
an answer. A picture is worth a thousand
words, and a single principle is worth a thousand answers.
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