Be FRESH in the Eyes of God

What defiles a person? What makes a person unholy?

The answer is simple…pride.

Once pride enters into our hearts it will commence the process of corruption or defilement. Pride is the first step of this process. As it is, pride alone has the power to make one a bad person.

In fact, the root of all the seven capital sins mentioned in the Gospel today are but fruits of pride.

People fornicate or have sex outside marriage because of pride.

A thief steals because of pride.

A murderer kills because of pride.

The list goes on with adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, and folly. Pride is the underlying reason for any immoral acts.

However, pride could also direct us a more subtle yet similarly dangerous road. Certainly, the pride of the Pharisees and Scribes had lead them to their narrow-mindedness. Thus pride could also lead us towards:

Unwillingness to Change: “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of our elders?” This statement comes arrogantly in the face of the one who himself was supposed to be the fulfillment of the Law, -Jesus Christ.

Self-Service: “you abandoned the commandments of God and hold on to human traditions.” This statement clearly describes the path of the chosen people of God that went wrong by human management.

We can also be self serving in our dealings with one another when we put our own welfare on top of that of others,

Humiliation of others. “They noticed that the disciples of Jesus were eating with defiled hands.” They took notice the mistakes instead of the wisdom and wonder that are unfolding in front of them. They missed the opportunity for their minds and hearts to be opened.

When we hold onto pride,

-We become insincere in our service.

-We become insincere with our relationships.

-We cannot love in the concrete. We love only in the abstract.

-We cannot give justice to the Word of God.

Pride is a disservice to the Word of God.

How then do we avoid our hearts from being defiled? Our Second reading suggests “be doers of the Word and not just hearers.” (James 1:22) Let me suggests ways in which our hearts can ever be fresh in the eyes of God.

F- Faith in God. “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?” (Deuteronomy 4:7)

R- Respect of his Body-the Church. “The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.” (Psalm 15)

E- Encouragement of New Expressions of the Gospel. “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17)

S- Sincerity in Service. “A religion that is undefiled is this…to keep the orphans and widows in distress” (James 1:27)

H- Humility as our Lifestyle. “And to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (James 1:27) “Welcome with weakness the implanted Word that has the power to save your souls.” (James 1:21)