Corner Time-Out

Perhaps someone in our lives has chastised or scolded us for some unacceptable behavior. A parent, grandparent, or teacher did not hold back and advised us against certain actions, telling us how we should behave.

Those wardens of righteousness are no longer with us. So, who tells us now to go and stand in the corner? It takes a good dosage of confidence to correct a friend and to receive a rebuke. Another way is to take charge of ourselves and listen to Paul, the apostle, as he admonishes his followers. He has a list: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.

Paul’s fixation on physical issues may be off-putting, but we are connoisseurs of good food; we relish our rest in an easy chair; we need intimacy for our well-being. Paul confronts our bodily needs, but only those driving forces that isolate us as a false self. So, exhibiting anger, malice, immorality, and greed is the way of all flesh. And we have an update – such as it is.

Besides Paul’s hammering, pounding out his list that will incur the wrath of God, we hear Father Eymard’s softer, yet firm, conviction in his correspondences, counseling us to stay focused on the God who loves us. Urging in his posts that the joys and pains, the fears and doubts are part of the package of giving it all up to God. It’s the giving of self. Otherwise, Jesus warns, there is a lot of woe coming our way. We are blessed if we are poor, that is, we don’t have anything that gets in the way of having a meaningful relationship with God and everyone we meet.

Sometimes, it’s good to stand in the corner and reflect on what we are doing.

Prayer:

In the morning, let me hear of your mercy, for in you I trust. Show me the path I should walk, for I entrust my life to you. (Psalm 143:8)