The “Unnoticed Eight”
by Fr. David M. Knight
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Twenty-Eighth Week of the Year
Saint Hedwig, Religious; Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin
Lectionary 469
Gal 5:18-25/Lk 11:42-46
In Galatians 5:18-25 Paul “brackets” Christian life between two extremes: living by the flesh or by the Spirit. He lists characteristics of both.
Of the fifteen “works of the flesh” he calls “obvious,” we easily recognize five: “lewd conduct, impurity, debauchery, drunkenness, orgies.” Two seem “far out” to us: “idolatry” and “witchcraft.” We see these seven as serious. But we don’t give as much importance to the majority (eight) on Paul’s list. Yet these do more to destroy the Church: “hostilities, bickering, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions and envy.” People do bring acts of anger or “uncharitable conduct” to Confession. But the underlying hostilities they embrace, the chronic bickering, the dissensions, factions, and rivalries that divide and disturb the Church are not seriously confronted. Nor are the jealousy and envy that often are behind them. What does this say about us and about our spiritual formation?
It says we are more concerned about individual acts against our personal human dignity than we are about acts and attitudes that damage relationship in the Church. We forget that, by nature we are in the image of the Trinity, whose life is interaction between the Three Persons in shared knowledge and love. This is how we should live with others. And by grace we are called and empowered to be with each other what Jesus prayed we would be:
“that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:10-24)
If we let the “sign of the cross,” the most common gesture in the Church, remind us that we are called to interact with others as Father, Son and Spirit do with each other, we will renew the Church—and the “face of the earth.”
Another practical way is to prepare for Confession by asking whether the “fruit of the Spirit” is obvious in our life. If not, something is missing in the “life by the Spirit” we are called to live. If we can identify it, we have found our sin.
Luke 11:42-46 The sins Jesus focused on as destroying Judaism and blocking acceptance of himself were not the “obvious seven” above, but the “unnoticed eight.” The sin of focusing on rules instead of relationship; of wanting position and prestige; of “laying impossible burdens on people” without seeking to alleviate them. These are the sins never confronted in Confession, either by laity or clergy. These are the sins Jesus was concerned about. And we are not. As “stewards of his kingship” we need to take responsibility for changing this.
Initiative: Memorize the “fruits of the Spirit.” Use them to evaluate your life.
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
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