A recent book I read details one day in the life of a young couple. This day happens to be the honeymoon day. The couple gathers and shares supper as they reflect on their past and how they found themselves with each other.
As they converse and eat, they get in a heated argument. The bride leaves the room and heads to the beach. The groom, is filled with rage and anger and pride. He decides to swallow his pride and go after his bride of one day.
As he reaches beach, the sun slowly sets, and he peers into the face of his bride; Rather than listening, his anger gets the best of him, and he accuses and blames her for ruining the day. Rather, than inviting a conversation he criticizes, complains, and condemns. The bride is so filled with discouragement that she walks away.
As the groom watches his bride walk away, he fights within himself as to whether he should run after her. He chooses to let her go. She leaves and they get a divorce and never have the opportunity of experiencing the truth of what the honeymoon was all about.
The author concludes the book with this statement, "This is how the course of one's life can change, simply by choosing to do nothing."
In today's gospel, Jesus wraps up his closing remarks on the sermon of the mount. He has said many things on the sermon of the mount: the beatitudes, we are the salt of the earth and light of the world, look at a women with lust in the heart you commit adultery, do not judge and you will not be judged, the golden rule, the Our Father, store up treasures in heaven, enter by the narrow gate, etc (ch 5-7).
In this section, Jesus gives his closing remarks; As he stands on the mountain, he looks at his disciples gathered at his feet, he tells them, listen to my words and put them into action and you will stand firm no matter the challenges that come.
If you live your faith, the firmer you will stand. He gives them an option: you can follow me and be the wise man or you can be the fool, do nothing, and watch you foundation crumble beneath you.
Then as Jesus looks out, He too might conclude with the words of the author above, "and this is how the course of your life can change, by choosing to do nothing."
The choice is ours, we can do nothing or we can follow the one who does something.
No comments:
Post a Comment