Reach to reset

Many devices today operate from a set of programmed instructions. We are familiar with the ability to re-start or re-set these devices when they cease to perform as we expect and desire. The passage today from the Book of Leviticus details the procedure for the Israelites to govern their lives by trusting in God and the theocracy which preserved the Divine Law as the primary rule in the land. According to Friar Jude Winkler, God is the owner of the land of the Israelites. The original land was allocated to the twelve tribes of Israel for the maintenance of life. The land was to be left fallow every seven years for a Sabbatical year and after seven times seven years a Jubilee year was proclaimed which reset the economic system, returned the land to the original caretakers and provided for the relief of the poor or enslaved. Friar Jude notes that Christian tradition continues to advocate that the excess of the world is material wealth stolen from the poor. It is very difficult to push the reset button in our daily lives. The death of John the Baptist is described in the text from the Gospel of Matthew. The inability of King Herod to execute John who had charged him of acting contrary to the Law in his marriage to his brother’s wife was not due to a lack of power. Herod was at least intrigued by this prophet who called people to repent and reset their lives. This reset requires humility to admit we have erred and need correction. This position was not attainable for Herod. We too often are unable to see the poor decisions we have made. We may need to reach for the reset button.