Life-Changing Truth

The two scriptures which were read at Mass today as first reading and responsorial Psalm drastically changed my perspective during my Desert Experience. I came to understand through this 12^th chapter of Hebrews that in God's pedagogy, discipline equals training; trials equals discipline. I now understand more clearly the message of Father Jean-Pierre Caussade, S.J. in Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence. While God uses carrots in His training, sticks form the bedrock or meat of his curriculum. Very much like in the classroom: the tough homework shows the difference between a good student and a mediocre one.

Hebrews 12: 4-7, 11-15

 

4

In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

5

You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him;

6

for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges."

7

Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?

They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness.

11

At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

12

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.

13

Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.

14

Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

15

³ See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled,

 

Psalm 103: 1-2, 13-14, 17-18

 

¹ Bless the LORD, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!

2

Bless the LORD, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God,

13

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on the faithful.

14

For he knows how we are formed, remembers that we are dust.

17

But the LORD'S kindness is forever, toward the faithful from age to age. He favors the children's children

18

of those who keep his covenant, who take care to fulfill its precepts.

 

02/04/09