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 Looking for Trouble!
© Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio
To download and listen to the PodCast of Looking for Trouble, Click here!
 I used to think that God’s law was like those dumb rules we have to put up with in grammar school, like “Thou shalt not chew gum in class.” They are arbitrary laws that some bureaucrats came up with to keep them happy and the rest of us miserable. The goal of the student is to break such rules whenever they can get away with it. The only bad consequence would be to get caught.
But God is not a bureaucrat. He’s a loving Father. If He says “thou shalt not,” it is because the particular activity in question wounds and, in some cases, destroys the child of God who engages in it. But doesn’t sin offend God? Of course. We are made in his image and likeness, and sin defaces that likeness in us. It also wounds others made in his image and likeness. There is no such thing as private sin–we are so interconnected that every decision to step away from God has incalculable impact on not only the sinner but on the whole family of God.
 Some people correct others because they are busybodies. Others, like the Pharisees, do so in order to exalt themselves as they put others down. The disciple, however, intervenes out of love. Love for God, for all his children, but especially for the sinner who is damaged the most by his own sin.
Many people think about God’s law as if it were just arbitrary bureaucratic regulations. They are unaware that their actions are gouging wounds in their hearts and in the hearts of others. But if we know, and we care, we must find a way to tell them. Others don’t know about God and his will–but their actions are still wreaking havoc in their lives and the lives of others. We need to share with them the Good News about the mercy of Christ and the power of the Spirit who makes it possible to follow the will of the Father.
 “But,” you may say, “they won’t listen, so why bother?” Simple - because God says so! Ezekiel the prophet was called to be a watchman for Israel (Ezek 33:7-9). It was his responsibility to let people know whenever their actions were leading to disaster. If he told them and they did not listen, Ezekiel was off the hook. He fulfilled his responsibility, and the consequences were on the heads of those who failed to heed the warning. But if he neglected to warn them out of fear of their disapproval, and they ended in disaster, God would hold Ezekiel responsible.
“But,” you may say, “I’m not called to be a prophet.” Oh yes you are! In baptism and confirmation you were anointed priest, prophet, and king. And if you haven’t noticed, prophets don’t usually win popularity contests.
 Of course, if you are prudent and humble and sensitive as you go about this prophetic task, your chances of success will be greater. The Lord Jesus gives us direction about this in Matthew 18: first, go privately to the person and treat him or her like a brother or sister, not like your inferior. If you get nowhere, get another to help you. If you still run into a stone wall, refer it to the Church, which in most cases would mean someone in authority such as a pastor or bishop or apostolic delegate.
The bottom line is: we owe a debt of love to our brothers and sisters (Ro 13:8-10). And love does its best to dissuade a person from walking over a cliff.
To download and listen to the PodCast of Looking for Trouble, Click here!
To download and print Admonish the Sinners to share - Click here!
This was originally published in Our Sunday Visitor as a reflection upon the readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, liturgical cycle A (Ez 33:7-9), Ps 95, Ro 13:8-10; Mt 18:15-20). It is reproduced here with the permission of the author.
This article is featured in the Liturgy and Sacraments and the Christian Lifestyle sections of The Crossroads Initiative Library.
"I Believe" - The Heart of Catholic Faith
by: Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.
This dynamic, four-part series, Dr. D'Ambrosio explains how the very heart of the Christian faith is all about intimate, personal relationships. It's about a community of love between three divine persons, and the powerful, loving way that each of those Divine Persons breaks into our world to transform our lives. This series explains how faith is not irrational but the most reasonable response possible to God's amazing deeds.
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Keeping Your Kids Catholic
by: Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio
 Talk One: The Family as the Domestic Church
The second Vatican Council echoing the Early Church Fathers, teaches that the family is the domestic church. If we understand what the church really is, the implications are enormous! This talk lays out the vision of what the Catholic Family is called to be in a way both challenging and inspiring.
Talk Two: The Art of Parenting: It's All About Balance!
So practically, how do we make it happen? How do we raise kids who are truly Catholic, with a commitment to holiness and mission? This talk abound with nitty-gritty suggestions on how to strike the balance between formal religious education in the home, and teaching by example, between affection and discipline, the role of parents and the help of other adults. You’ll walk away with clear strategies that you can implement in your own family life.
2 Audio CD - $18.00 2 Audio Tapes - $18.00 2 DVDs - $49.95 |
