In today's readings we encounter the story of the Kings of Israel.
The book of Kings is a fascinating read and fascinating to meditate on. The book consist of little snippets of what and how each King ruled the kingdom. Some were better than others. Most of them were self-centered and neglected the covenant and led the kingdom astray.
In today's reading we encounter a king that was good. King Josiah is considered the one king that was "pleasing to the Lord." one can hardly think of a better compliment or statement of true character than this.
King Josiah undertook the task of renovating the temple. It had been desecrated by previous kings with pagan rite and pagan idols. King Josiah was cleaning house literally. In the midst of renovating the temple, the high priest, Hilkiah, discovered a book of the law and brought it to the King's attention.
King Josiah was terrified upon reading the book because he discovered just how unfaithful the people had become. They were no longer abiding by the standard of God but were doing their own thing.
He took the book to the prophetess and she told him that the kingdom would suffer because of their sins. Thus, the king had a choice. He could hide the book and forget it was discovered and let the people live in their sin, and be punished. Or, he could seek a renewal for the land and people, have them renew their loyalty to God in seeking to live out the covenant, and still be punished.
The king decides that regardless of the outcome, following God's will was more important; living out the covenant was the only way to truly encounter peace.
The King reveals to us that following God, and doing the right thing, has little to do with whether or not we benefit but it always has to do with letting God be the standard in our life.
Pope Benedict reminds us that "to truly have a good conscience one must not simply ask 'what can we do', but must always ask 'what should we do'". He points out that only in this line of questioning does a man truly embrace his dignity. Seeking to do what one should do is what having a well formed conscience is all about.
"Conscience is not identical to personal wishes and taste. It can not be reduced to social advantage, to a group consensus, or to demands of political and social power. It is about opening what self up to the voice and demands of truth. Truth is not a standard set by man himself but revealed by God to man".
King Josiah lived out a well formed conscience because he lived out the standard of God for the sake of God. He refused to be his own standard and humbled himself to the standard of another and thus reveals to us the great dignity of man.
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