Rules and Rogues

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for today features texts which invoke consideration of evil behaviour among holy people. The western press has reported many incidents of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. How is this behaviour reconciled with the mission to be Christ in the world? The tension between good and evil is within the spirit or “soul” of all people. The tension created by being, at the same time, invited to an intimate relationship with the Divine and the self satisfaction and gratification of “sinful” behaviour creates an internal psychological need to resolve this “cognitive dissonance”. Paul appears to be aware of the public presentation of “evil” among the followers of the Way. He advocates a public action to exile the offender from the group. Paul allows that this is a act which will hopefully allow for the eventual reconciliation of the individual with God. The Pharisees sought resolution of the conflict through rules and regulations. Jesus action of compassion towards the Man with a Withered Hand, described in Luke’s Gospel, was against the law designed to maintain the holiness of the Sabbath. The tension between good and evil is not going to be satisfactorily dealt with through human regulations. Paul sought help from God to remove the “thorn in his side”. The response to Paul is the best advice to us. The power of God, in our lives is sufficient to defeat the evil on a daily basis. The ‘continuing battle” keeps us aware of our humble status and even powerlessness before some sinful behaviour. It also reaffirms the Higher Power through which reconciliation and restoration is a daily truth.