Outgrowing the terrible twos

 

St. Paul’s letter to the Romans (Romans 5:12-21) reminds me of those parents who have children in the "terrible twos," a stage of development when they live by the word, "NO!"  It’s an exasperating time for the parents and a potentially dangerous time for a child who doesn’t see the possible pain and suffering her disobedience could cause her.  Sadly, many adults never outgrow this stage and remain unseeing and uncaring of the consequences of their behavior to themselves and others.  A certain current Commander-in-Chief and several other politicians on every side of the political spectrum are (sadly) examples of this in today’s world.

St. Paul reminds his flock that it was Adam and Eve's disobedience that initiated man's fall into sin; when they countered God's instruction, they usurped His position and became their own "little gods."

In contrast to our first parents, Paul cites Christ's obedience to His Father's law of love.  At great cost, His pain and death, He won for sinful man the option of being cleansed of sin and made righteous through their dying with Him to the inordinate demands of their flesh and instead living in God's will, in His good Spirit.  This world's turmoil is caused by man's "NO" to our heavenly Father's gift of new life in Christ.  Or at the very least our underestimating His love.

There’s an old story about our tendency to always want more and more from God, even though He's already given us all we need:

A man answers a knock at his door.  When he opens the door there’s another man standing there who asks, "Are you the man who saved my son from drowning in the canal yesterday?"  Proudly, and with anticipation of the gratitude he’ll receive, the man replies, "Yes, I am."

The stranger then asks in a very indignant tone, "Well then, what did you do with his hat?", completely overlooking the overwhelming fact that his son is alive; focusing instead on his possessions.

In the Gospel (Luke 12:35-38) Jesus talks to us about the necessity of being prepared for His final coming.  It’s something we know is important and I'm sure something we all intend to do.  But somehow and so often, many things get in the way, and we end up saying, “NO!”

I frequently wonder how I’ll feel when my time is up, and I realize I’ve failed miserably to be the kind of loving person God has called me to be.  It's enough to bring me to momentary tears until I remember that Jesus is a merciful judge, and my hope rises again.