"The utterance of one who hears what God says."

Numbers 24:4

There is a quote attributed to St. Francis, "Preach the gospel always and use words when necessary." I have always been ambivalent towards that message. I know that if our deeds do not back up our words, our words mean little to nothing. People believe much more in a life lived than words spoken. On the other hand, I think we can use this quote to abdicate speaking up for the truth, especially if it might be personally costly.

St. Paul declares, "How can they believe unless they have heard of him? And how can they hear unless there is someone to preach?" (Romans 10:14) What is God saying? Do I say what he is saying, in season or out of season, no matter the threat or cost?

What is God saying about my sin? What is my sin and how does that affect my relationship with God and others? I was talking with another person about sin and how we can become so desensitized to it. It is like we become more and more numb to what is wrong and what is right. Think about your average movie or TV show 30 years ago. Now think about all the Godlessness and lawlessness on TV and in movies there is now compared to then. How shocked would we be if we had stopped watching 30 years ago and were plopped in front of a TV or movie today with what is out there for our viewing? How dull have we become to our sin, to what is right and wrong.

And is not being dull to sin, being dull to God? There is nothing dull about being in the presence of Jesus and there is nothing dull about seeing the pain and destruction of our sin when we come into the presence of the Living God! What did Moses do in the Living God's presence? He took off his shoes and prostrated himself. The light of God's presence had to show him the darkness of his own heart.

Are we dull to sin, dull to God? How do we become sensitized? How do we come into union with the life of The Living God and, in that, reject all that is not part of that life? We go after the sin in our lives! Pray to the Holy Spirit to reveal you sin to you - God will answer that prayer. Get a good examination of your conscience and examine yours. Ask other people who know you well how you can grow, what your sin is. Pray God's word, the catechism and other spiritual reading that will help you hear what God is saying.

Are we numb to sin, God? What does God say about our sin? With the desire for the highest spiritual good of us all, give utterance to what God is saying. The world sure is not saying anything.

+Fr. John

RETURN TO "WORDS FROM FR. JOHN"