Attend to the experience of elders

In one of the books of Franciscan priest and spiritual leader, Richard Rohr, the loss of attention in Western Society to our “elders” is noted as related to our confusion on spiritual, moral and ethical issues. The Roman Catholic Lectionary today presents texts which relate how failure to act in accord with tradition and the experience of the Presence of God leads to behaviour which is contrary to the Will of God. The Thessalonians have been confused by charismatic preachers who have made claims not based on the teaching of the Paul, the apostles and the tradition. The author of Second Thessalonians reminds them that the confusing teaching is not in agreement with what they have heard and read from Paul. Friar Jude Winkler reminds us of “Jewish exaggeration” as a teaching tool when he comments on Jesus condemnation of the scrupulous following of the letter of the law by the Scribes and Pharisees which is not only causing them to be blatant hypocrites, but, in this process, they are neglecting the actions of justice, mercy and faith which will show the nature of the relationship desired by God with people. Friar Jude reminds us of the change of heart to which we are invited by God. We often attempt to avoid the change we are called to embrace by attending to the prescriptions and rituals of religiosity to self medicate our lack of peace. Our experience of the Divine and the testimony of our spiritual elders are clearly pointing us to attend to the cleaning of the inner cup so that the outside may also be clean. (Matthew 23:26).