Discipline to see deeper

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary prompt consideration of a series of assumptions and practices which plague believers and often dull our zeal to strive for holiness. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews shifts to discussion of Christian morality. The goal of holiness, through which we are prepared to see God, requires discipline. FriarJude Winkler sees the opportunity for discipline in the way we approach the difficulties of life. The way we interact with others can be driven by our emotions and we can be self satisfied that non Christian action is justified in particular case with certain people. Friar Jude understands this as backing up from our mission to witness. Our self discipline is to be aware of the direction our daily decisions take us in the direction of, or away from, being a witness to holiness. Hebrews compares Divine discipline to the discipline of a parent toward children. The psalmist takes the position of a child of God and praises Divine Providence which sustains and protects people with love regardless of their position or disposition in regard to holiness. The Love is the motivation for holiness. The Gospel of Mark relates the cognitive dissonance in the people of Nazareth as they attempt to reconcile the recent public actions of Jesus in natural miracles, exorcism and healing with His familiar position as carpenter Son of Mary with family they all know in the community. Our assumptions about people, as noted by Friar Jude, can be a path to miss the goodness they embody as we concentrate only on those aspects of their personalities which annoy us. Our discipline includes positive action to see others as God sees His children and be the Love which attracts them toward holiness.