Do Holy Things And Become Holy Series

Monday of the 6th Week in Course 2021

The adversaries of Jesus in the Jewish community, the Pharisees, vexed Him continuously. But why was that? The Pharisees vexed Jesus because they “majored in minors.” For whatever reason they used the Law of Moses, Torah, to beat less rigorous people rather than help them to love God and neighbor better. So they would come at Jesus with some fine point of the Law that had nothing to do with the saving mission Jesus had accepted from His Father. And in this short excerpt from St. Mark, they assailed Him three times in the first verse. They first began to argue with Jesus. They then demanded a sign from heaven–some miracle–to prove His divine connection. And they tested Him, probably with one of those “do you still beat your dog?” type questions.

That was just too much. Do you ever get really fed up and frustrated with anyone? I think we all do that from time to time, particularly if we are hounded about something distracting us from an important task. That provokes anger in us lesser human beings. But Jesus showed us how to handle such situations. He “sighed deeply in spirit”–anastenazas to pneumati–Jesus exhibited total frustration and gave us the right answer. I translate it: “why does this gang demand a sign? Amen I say, no sign goes to this gang.” The usual word used in most bibles is “generation,” But it could also mean “associated bunch of people,” so I said “gang,” because the Pharisees were acting like a gang of bullies here. Instead of engaging them in a fruitless debate, He got into a boat and went to the other side of the lake so He could warn the disciples about the Pharisees, and hopefully keep them from becoming like the Pharisees. It’s the danger to all religious people–to do holy things without becoming holy.

The first reading is familiar to most Christians–the story of the firstborn of Adam and Eve. His name was Cain. Cain was a wheat farmer; Abel was a shepherd. Cain brought some so-so produce from his fields to offer to God; Abel brought the absolute best of his flock. Cain struck out with the Lord, and Abel found favor. Cain’s envy came from arrogance. He was the first human baby so he must have been special, and what was this loser little brother doing getting the favor of God. The Lord intervened and told Cain the danger he was sliding into. He really says to each of us the same thing when we are angry and want revenge on somebody who has hurt us: "Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it." In other words, Cain screwed up by offering mediocrity instead of excellence, and the worst thing he could do would be to compound the error by falling into sin. Doesn’t Our Lord say that exact advice to us when we are about to do something stupid?

But Cain did compound the error, first by not listening to wise counsel, and second by murdering Abel. So Cain was cast out. God gives everyone an opportunity to repent of sin. Cain didn’t take any of those great gifts from God, and so he is remembered only as the first guy to slay his kinsman. Unfortunately not the last.

Two days from now we begin the season of Lent. All of us are sinners; all of us need forgiveness and redemption. So here’s the challenge today: what attitudes do we have that need God’s merciful forgiveness? What is holding us back from being the person that Jesus created us to be? Habits to look at include the seven deadly sins, which some of the Fathers expanded to eight: sloth, gluttony, lust, pride, vanity, greed, anger and envy. Focus on the one you are tempted by the most. Take this to prayer. Confess any sins that relate to it, and ask for divine help. Seek counsel from a wise Christian and ask for ideas on how to conquer it and replace it with an opposite virtue. Then practice that virtue. Ask others to pray for you. Journal your progress during Lent, and don’t slack off. Easter then will be a greater celebration, because you will be more like Our Lord Jesus Christ. Do both things: do holy things and become holy.