The temptations of Jesus in the desert (Mt. 4:1-11) helped him clarify his mission. By recognizing and rejecting false directions, he was able to see more clearly the path that was his own. And all through the Gospels we keep learning what we are called to be as followers of Jesus by seeing how he corrected the false assumptions others had about him.
His own disciples could not get into their heads that Jesus was not going to use force. Their immediate reaction when a Samaritan village refused to receive him was, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” Jesus just went to another village. He was not going to use the power of this world to accomplish his goals. Those who followed him would even have to give up the security of home and family connections (Compare Luke 9:57-62 with Genesis 12:1 and Acts 7:2-3). Their own lack of human resources would proclaim better than words what his kingdom is all about (see Matthew 10:9-11). God doesn’t reign by giving success, but by inviting surrender. Christ’s goal is not to achieve control, but to bring about conversion. He works through the weakness of truth and love, which are often ineffective for the transformation of society — at least in the short run — but which are the only effective means to transform human hearts and leave them free.

Our temptation is to expect things from our religion that Jesus never promised to give. We assume that if we are keeping God’s laws and praying, he will give us health and prosperity, success in our enterprises, and protection from those who would harm us. And sometimes God does in fact do this; we should pray that he will. But none of these is what Jesus came to give. He came to teach us to know God and to love. For this we need no resources but those which unite us to the indwelling presence of God in our hearts: basically the ministry of word and sacrament communicated to us within the community of the Church. But we keep failing to invest in these. Instead, we invest our time and energy in activities that will “get things done.” And “getting things done” successfully usually depends on having money or human talent or both.

Power is defined as having control. Money is the most common means to achieve this. With money we can hire talent. And no matter how many sub-chiefs there are, the ultimate control is in the hands of the one who pays the salaries. With money we can acquire the resources we need. So the natural first step toward achieving control — over our lives, our projects, our environment — is to amass sufficient money. Banking thrives on people’s recognition of this.

People will violate laws, exploit others and deny their own consciences to achieve economic power. Nations will go to war for it. Churches will let the desire to attract and retain contributing members dictate pastoral practices. Fundraising becomes a technique. The radical Gospel gives way to comforting words, and discipleship is lost in “programs” that satisfy felt human needs. The parish doubles as a neighborhood club. In return for membership, tuition and tithing, some parishes with schools offer an alternative to public education; and for some parents this determines the parish they will join. Subtly the focus of a parish can gravitate to a multitude of projects, all good in themselves, and managing them successfully becomes the real goal of pastoral ministry rather than spiritual formation and deep, ongoing conversion to greater knowledge and love of God.

Saint Paul insists that the Galatians must not make law-observance the goal of their religion: “For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” We are just as free with regard to everything else in this world. Nothing should distract or deter us from following Jesus alone.

 

 

 

HEARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPELS

Monday*: Amos 2:6-16; Ps. 50:16-23 Matthew 8:18-22: “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” How many of my decisions are ruled by a desire for security? Does this desire rule out anything I want to do?

Tuesday: Amos 3:-12; Ps. 5:4-8; Matthew 8:23-27: The disciples woke Jesus up, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” Do I pray this insistently for growth in knowledge of God’s word? What do I “wake Jesus up” for?

Wednesday: Amos 5:14-24; Ps. 50:7-17; Matthew 8:28-34: “The whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.” What did the Gadarenes gain by choosing not to get involved with Jesus? What did they lose? How involved am I? Does fear hold me back?

Thursday: Amos 7:10-17; Ps. 19:8-11; Matthew 9:1-8: “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?” What is easier for me: to ask pardon for sins, or to learn how to walk in the way of Jesus’ teachings? Which is more characteristic of my spiritual life?

Friday*: Amos 8:4-12; Ps 119:2-131; Matthew 9:9-13: The Pharisees said to Jesus’ disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Why do worldly and sinful people eat (the Eucharistic meal) with Jesus? Why should they? What is my motive?

Saturday: Amos 9:11-15; Ps. 85:9-14; Matthew 9:14-17: “new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” To really hear the word of God, would I have to change some of the basic goals and structures of my life? Have I already done this? When? What goal guides most of my choices now?