RB Reflection 3 September 2008

Prologue 14-20

Seeking his workman in a multitude of people, the Lord calls out to him and lifts his voice again: Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days? (Ps 33[34]:13) If you hear this and your answer is "I do," God then directs these words to you: If you desire true and eternal life, keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim (Ps. 33[34]:14-15). Once you have done this, my eyes will be upon you and my ears will listen for your prayers; and even before you ask me, I will say to you: Here I am (Is 58.9). What, dear brothers, is more delightful than this voice of the Lord calling to us? See how the Lord in his love shows us the way of life.

Is there anyone among us who would answer no to the question of this paragraph? Are we not LCG because we seek to more and more bring our lives in line with the will of God? We have made the steps to come closer to God...but a question remains -- do we keep our tongue from vicious talk? Have we really turned from evil to do good? Is peace our aim?

At various times we can all say yes to each question, and at other times we have to say a sad, no. And, I say so what? Of all the tapes I've heard of Thomas Merton the one line that stands out for me above all the others was when speaking to his group of novices, "What does the monk do who falls?" There was a rather astounding silence. Merton said, "He gets up again. We fail as monks when we stop getting up again."

I am a sin specialist. I am also a Christian and a member of the LCG. I fall, I get up. I fall, I get up. I fall.......get up......fall................up.......