March on the Prarie

In Mid-March every year many ranchers burn their old grass. They do this to stimulate new growth and "clean up" last year's grass so that every bite an animal takes is all green. The result is "stronger" grass for the summer. It only works when it rains, though. This year again I will not burn anything due to the drought. I'd rather have more grass than stronger grass.

This is the most dreadful time of year for the animals. They have been through the ice and snow and the forage quality has dropped. Then along comes the rancher and burns up what was left. They are tired of fasting all lent, but now abstinence! Easter and Spring are almost here, if they can just hang on!

God Talks to Ranchers

Moses: Take these words of mine into your heart and soul. Teach them to your children, speaking of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. Write them on your doorpost and gate, so that as long as the heavens are above the earth, you and your children may live on in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers he would give them.

I hope that today Moses would include "on your blog" with your doorpost and gate as places to write the Word. There is something reassuring about consistency of place. The ranching families strive to pass on the very same land that they have managed to their children, and hope to instill the love of the land in their children so that the legacy of being in their place is handed down for many generations. So it is that the descendants of feudal Lords in Scotland scattered out to America and Australia, and each hoped to build an "estate" like the one back home to pass on to their descendants. It is a dream that runs in their blood, and they only give it up with a great struggle. The land itself seems to call to me, reminding me of the vision, hopes, industry and dreams of the pioneers who came before me. And no, you don't have to have a deed to hear the call. Every time I approach the Rockies from the east I think of how my pioneer ancestors gazed upon the wonder and beauty and promise of that land as they toiled to get there without the benefit of a road, riding horses and wagons drawn by oxen. Of all the places in the world, Jerusalem is the on that seems to inspire the greatest importance of association. The promised land. The Temple. The crucifixion, the resurrection, the second coming. Something that keeps Islamics martyring themselves over the right to be there. I do think there is a feeling associated with places, especially natural places, but also buildings. Some may call it ghosts. I don't know. I have at times felt my ancestral spirits rejoicing with me as I enjoy the beauty that God creates in this place.

What Moses (if I may be so bold as to assume that he authored Deuteronomy, which we don't really scientifically know) was talking about was that the Word of God endures forever, and remains unchanged in all circumstances. People, being mere mortals, attach great significance to real estate and property. The spiritual reality of God's Word is more enduring, and a greater treasure.

Forgiveness

Sirach: If he who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins?

Psalm 25: To you , O Lord, I lift up my soul.
I trust you, do not let me be disappointed;
do not let my enemies triumph.
Those who hope in you shall not be disappointed,
but only those who wantonly break faith.
Teach me. Do not remember the sins of my youth.

Sirach: Forgive your neighbors injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the Lord? Should a man refuse mercy to his fellows, yet seek pardon for his own sins?

Matt: Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?

Give up hatred. It hurts you more to carry it than it hurts your enemy when you express it. Try to understand. This is hard to do. It goes against the grain. Pray with the songwriter above (probably David) "teach me your paths, make me walk in your truth, and teach me: for you are God, my savior."

If it was easy, we wouldn't need to be saved. But as it is, that is the only thing worth pursuing into eternity. Now the sheep from February's posts are astonished. Here is the lead sheep (David?) crying out to the Shepard (that creature carrying that Rod) to teach him. Well, even us dumb wild sheep have to admit that the Rod seems to lead us to some mighty tasty forage and water. And it did a heck of a job whacking that critter that was trying to kill the sheep that stayed behind. But if I go as directed without being wild, I surrender my precious autonomy. Does that make me less than a sheep? Isn't my instinct to run from danger good? Maybe this David sheep is on to something after all? I am still just a dumb sheep, and will run from anything that scares me, but I think maybe I will hang around that rod, since it does seem to make for a better life.

Today's Gospel

Mat: Jesus said "The scribes and Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Observe what they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on you, but they do not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

I have seen similar behavior to the scribes in today's Church. The pompous clergy who revel in the show of fine vestments, who take the seat of honor at banquets, who enjoy (too much) the respectful greeting of "Father" in the marketplace. Their position of authority appropriately deserves respect. However, in practice they judge and condemn much of their own flock, tying up heavy burdens for them and callously watching (and enjoying) the struggle that ensues. Some go even further, and dispense heretical spiritual advice in order to promote their public "holier than thou" image.

Then there are the true vocations. The men and women of the Church who have the love of God in their hearts for their flock. The ones who work to really analyze the spiritual struggles of those who turn to them and do everything in their power to help. The servants. The ones who spread God's love through their very being. These are the good confessors, that listen with compassion and wisdom and truly minister to the souls that turn to them in need.

Paul, James, and Luke

Paul: It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgement on myself; I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. Therefor, do not make any judgement before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God.

James: Who then are you to judge your neighbor?

Luke: Be merciful, just as your father is merciful

Judge Acts, Not Souls

"God himself is the judge"
"judge not, lest ye be judged"

How do we apply these principles when in fact every decision we make requires some level of judgement? We decide our level of friendship with another person based in part on how we judge that person to be. We develop prejudices as we grow. We trusted people in the past who let us down, so we do not trust them again. For example, I have been robbed twice in my life. Both times it was a black man who did it. I trusted them, and was robbed. So my "prejudice" is not to trust strange black guys with valuables. Still, some of the finest people I have known were black. I would have missed out if I hadn't trusted them, but they showed themselves to be trustworthy.

Every man (or woman) is a child of God, and as such deserves some level of respect due to that dignity. There is within all men the capacity to good and to do evil. When you are deciding on your relationships you have to judge whether it is prudent to trust the other. My advice is to look at past acts of the person (to the extent you can). Words can be deceiving. Look objectively at what they have done. A history of lying, stealing, or cheating implies that they are likely to select that behavior again. Those acts (or any break from the Commandments) are the real red flags. We must judge behavior, but not the people. Christians are told to "turn the other cheek", to forgive "70 times seven times". That does not mean we should ignore or accept sinful behavior. Don't wear jewelry or carry a lot of money into a place where poor people who have few role models live or hang out. I don't know how I may have grown up in an impoverished neighborhood where law breaking is common and no one knows their father. It is not up to me to judge those robbers' souls. But it is up to me whether or not I go into a ghetto wearing or carrying something valuable. Those children of God are not beyond salvation.

Examine your conscience. There is sin within all of us. Christ died to save sinners. Admitting our own sins is very hard to do, but it helps us. Keep striving to choose to do good, but don't trust thieves or liars. Help each other down the path, but don't be a "mark".

Acknowledge Your Weakness

Quick Quotes:
"God will not spurn a humble and contrite heart"

"Happy the man whose offense is forgiven, whose sin is remitted, in whose spirit is no guile. I kept it secret and my frame was wasted. I groaned all day long for God's hand was heavy upon me. But now I have acknowledged my sins, I confessed my sins to the Lord, and was forgiven. Let every good man pray to God in the time of need."

"Though I say to the wicked man that he shall surely die, if he turns away from his sin and does what is right and just, giving back debts, restoring stolen goods, living by the statutes that bring life, and doing no wrong, he shall surely live. None of the sins he committed shall be held against him."

Are you feeling spiritual pain? Take an honest look at your own behavior. Acknowlege to God everything that you have done wrong. Examine your conscience. Know that God loves you, and is calling you to be healed with the pain in your heart. Repent. Make things right. Strengthen your resolve to choose good every time. Go to confession, make it right.