Living authentically

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary reveal how we are subject to drifting away from what we probably know to be the right and good direction to the direction which is often more self serving than other serving. Nancy Shirley captures this truth about our behaviour in the phrase, popular in the recent past, WWJD. (What Would Jesus Do). The simple question posed by this acronym is a powerful spiritual “GPS” which may not be nuanced and subtle but it does establish very quickly a reference point from which we can act or rationalize our decisions. Friar Jude Winkler tells us that the ruler in the passage from the Second Book of Kings today is Josiah. He is categorized in “Chart of Kings of Israel and Judah” as “did right”. Friar Jude comments that the “discovery” of the book of laws in the Temple became the “second” book of the Law or Deuteronomy. The Jewish Encyclopedia suggests that the king, Josiah, may have been presented with Deuteronomy 28:36 by the high priest Hilkiah. “The Lord will bring you, and the king whom you set over you, to a nation that neither you nor your ancestors have known, where you shall serve other gods, of wood and stone. (Deut 28:36) ”. The Gospel from Matthew warns us about the false prophets, wolves in sheeps’ clothes, who will entice us with words which seem to be more attractive and bring more for our benefit. Friar Jude emphasizes that we need to see that those who purport to speak as prophets and teachers live authentic lives close to the example of Jesus. The Great Commission for Christians (Matthew 28: 16-20) calls us to make disciples of all nations. The attractiveness of becoming a disciple is that we strive to live authentically as Jesus.