Fourteenth of Year C
July 2007
Every one of us is flawed in some way or in many ways.
For many years I was inclined to write people off just because some aspect of their life or lifestyle was unacceptable to me. I needed to learn that every good person has ideas or beliefs or practises that are unacceptable to me. I needed to learn that great gifts in one area of one’s life are accompanied by great flaws in another area.
The media make it their business that we should never forget this where the celebrated and the famous are concerned. Humility (which is truth) demands that I be continually aware of the flaws in my own character and in the character of everyone I know, but love (charity) demands that I ignore it in my attitude towards myself and towards other.
The great political leader may be an unfaithful marriage partner. The great singer may be an atrocious guest. The conscientious and hard working priest may be an alcoholic. No matter how good we are, no matter how hard we try, there are always cracks in the edifice we build.
That is why the people who wrote the Book of Genesis told the story of the fall of Adam and Eve. That is why the church speaks about Original sin. Every successful marriage is an ongoing experience in discovering, making allowances for, learning to live with and love, the faults and failings of each other.
The fact that a person is now regarded as a saint does not mean that they were unfailingly nice people.
St. Paul knew it all, was abrasive, did not get on well with colleagues and was inclined to be fanatical. Yet when Ananias was sent by God to visit Paul and demurred saying: 'I have heard from many people about this man and all the harm he has been doing to your holy people in Jerusalem,'
God's reply was 'Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel.'
St. Peter blustered, was pompous but when challenged back-pedalled fast. Out of fear he denied even knowing Jesus three times. Yet God said to him, 'You are Peter and on this rock I will build my community.'
Both were chosen, by God, for great work, not because they were without serious faults.
Christianity is learning to love as God loves. Christianity is learning to love, honour and respect, oneself and others, as we are.