Making Rash Decisions

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for today presents texts which invite us to consider decisions we make which may be rash and ill considered and the consequences of such decisions. The desire to be in communion with the Divine is expressed in the song of the psalmist. He praises the wonderful works and steadfast love of the Lord and concludes that burnt offering and sin offering are not pleasing to God. The attitude which deepens the intimacy with God is openness to act according to the Will of God. The passage from the Book of Judges is difficult in respect to the fate of the daughter of Jephthah. The decision of Jephthah to make such a rash promise to God is not atypical of some of the bargaining which people attempt, in times of distress, with the Divine. The lack of appreciation of those who make such deals of the sentiments expressed in the psalm is tragic. The parable of the wedding banquet in the Gospel of Matthew begins to tell of how those invited to intimacy with God reject the invitation and turn against the messengers carrying the invitation. This is the experience of disciples as they work to bring the message of Jesus to their communities. The "twist" and the mystery is the man who attends the wedding feast yet fails to don the wedding garment. The decision not to participate fully in the life to which you have been invited and which you have witnessed is one with dire consequence. Knowledge of the illumination and joy of the wedding feast followed by a decision to accept being thrown into the darkness is unfortunately still a pattern of life for people.