Living Amidst Rebellion

 

“Son of man, you live in the midst of a rebellious house; they have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.”

Ezekiel 12:2

Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time


There have been news of more riots and looting in recent days. One news outlet interviewed a leader of the movement and they justified those actions saying, whatever they took, they deserved it and that it was reparation. He said whatever clothes the people stole they did so because they needed it and now they have clothes, and so it is fine and justified. That’s just downright bizarre. Just because we need something it does not give us the right to do damage and steal. We all have needs, all different and of varying magnitudes, and we all have needs to be met, but it must be met in the right way.

People may feel that the only way for them to live and survive is to steal and loot.  But we should ask them “how may we help you?” instead of justifying and helping them rationalize their unlawful, immoral, and unethical actions. When we enable the people, we are doing them more damage. These are rebellious times we live in. Rebel not for personal greed or desire, but for something worth fighting for, for love, for truth, and for one another. Let us today see the suffering Christ in our neighbors and in those who are less fortunate and hear the cries and pleas of those calling out to us from the depths of their sorrowful hearts, and together may we walk through these rebellious times, steadfast in commitment to love and truth and unwavering in faith, confident in the providential care of our Father in heaven.


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