When Man Lacks a Sense of Sin

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A valid moral code or standard is based on a sense, comprehension, and/or awareness of sin.

A sense of sin requires acknowledgment of an offense against God.

When God is eliminated from society, all laws, rules and personal conduct become arbitrary and preclude the necessary sense of sin.

This leaves personal choices and opinions to dictate conduct without regard to others.

Likely, this may be the cause of the hatred, violence and lawlessness we are witnessing.

  • Therefore, how can there be any hope of individual or governmental fairness, justice or responsibility in the world if there is no sense of offense against God?

Blue Laws- Then and Now

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Seventy years ago it was a wide spread practice to ban most Sunday commerce by state statute or local ordinance. These limitations were commonly known as Blue Laws. If you needed carrots for your pot roast, you either borrowed a bunch from a neighbor or went without. Yes, neighbors looked to each other for needed resources.

Thinking back, the closing of businesses on Sunday promoted interaction among the family, friends and relatives. There were sit down Sunday dinners each week. Once the weather warmed, these meals occurred under the pear trees in the side yard. After the dishes were washed, dried and put away, families often loaded everyone in the automobile for a leisurely ride or a visit with relatives. All physical work was avoided.

I can only recall one exception to this Sunday ritual. With most husbands working a half day on Saturday, there was little opportunity for Mom and Dad to shop together. Seldom, and I mean rarely, my parents would visit the Jewish clothing merchants in the wholesale district of Cincinnati. Vividly I can see the shop owners standing in front of their businesses waiting for customers. Frankly, I cannot recall many purchases actually being made. It could have been a way to break up the typical Sunday routine.

Like wage earners, business owners maintained a five and half day schedule. Typically, stores were open from 8AM until 6PM Monday through Saturday but the front door was locked at noon on Wednesday. Some even closed an hour for lunch. Opportunities for commerce were severely limited by the owners’ choice. Gradually there were demands to modify, and eventually overturn, the Blue Law restrictions completely. What corporations gained in sales, families, including the families of proprietors, lost in solidarity. Now for carrots you drove to the IGA rather than walk next door to the neighbor.

What was once a Sunday limit to trade has morphed into volumes of regulations seven days a week- the twenty-first century version of Blue Laws. For me, it is best to continue observing the sacredness of Sunday. Before starting a project I determine whether the activity is truly recreation or work. There are distinct advantages to spending the day quieting your mind, listening for His whisper in the turmoil of society.

Careless Words Have Eternal Consequences

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The Bible has numerous warnings that careless words have eternal consequences. It is time for all of us to curb our tongues both for the good of society but more importantly for the good of our souls. To understand the seriousness of inappropriate speech you need only consult Revelations 21:8. All liars are in the category with the cowardly, the unbelievers, the abominable, murderers, whore-mongers, sorcerers and idolaters; they will be cast into a pool of fire and brimstone. A clear warning if there ever was one.

Just in case you are interested here are other Biblical references for consideration.

James 1:19 James 3:2-18 Matthew 12:36-37 1Timothy 5:1-2 2Timothy 4:2

Ecclesiastes 5:1-6 Isaiah 56:10 Leviticus 19:16 Proverbs 10:19 Proverbs 10:32

Proverbs 11:12-13 Proverbs 12:18 Proverbs 12:22-23 Proverbs 13:3 Proverbs 15:2

Proverbs 15:4 Proverbs 17:27-28 Proverbs 18:2 Proverbs 18:6 Proverbs 19:5

Proverbs 19:9 Proverbs 20:19 Proverbs 21:23 Proverbs 22:10 Proverbs25:23

Proverbs 27:6 Proverbs 28:23 Psalm 12:4-5 Psalm 34:13 Psalm 109:17

Psalm 141:3 Sirach 5:13-16 Sirach 19:5-14 Sirach 20:8 Sirach 28:25-26

Humanity Is Never Enough

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These words concluded a homily on the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God (January 1, 2021). While readily agreeing with the message, I began searching for the reason.

Definitions are generally subjective points of personal experience. Accordingly, I will leave it to you if dictionary digging is your thing. Internet surfing produced two essentially similar essays comparing humanity with divinity. Both define divinity as seeking to distribute and humanity as seeking only to gather. Further searching did not produce an original source for this concept. Two quick Biblical examples of giving & receiving are Manna in the desert and the multiplication of fishes and loaves. Realizing the issue was still limited to definitions, I wanted to see more.

How many times in life you are looking for a misplaced item and find other “lost” objects. For Advent I read the Book of Isaiah. In mediating on another topic, I recalled seeing a passage that might provide insight but could not recall the chapter or verse. Lacking progress on “humanity is never enough”, I began reading Isaiah at chapter 51. Well look at what I found- Chapter 55:2 says “why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and labour for that which doth not satisfy you? Hearken diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and your soul shall be delighted in fatness”. To paraphrase, a life that excludes God is never fulfilled.

Thanks Again Aaron Franklin

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Thirty or so years ago a friend gifted a collection of recipes on 3×5 cards she collected while at military bases around the world. Subsequently, anther friend gave me a typewritten collection of recipes from cooking classes he instructed. Further, I have a copy of a mincemeat recipe written on a penny postcard addressed to my mother from her aunt. With the onset of “pretty” cookbooks and recipe blogs containing more photos and words than ingredients, we have lost much of traditional recipe exchanges. As the third in a five generation line of bakers, all I need are the ingredients and a couple measurements. You can keep the wordage and pictures. However, there is one exception- Franklin Barbecue, a Meat Smoking Manifesto by Aaron Franklin and Jordan MacKay (Ten Speed Press). My son, an obvious pictures guy, gave me the book as a guide for smoking brisket.

My widow friend wanted to serve a whole brisket for her family’s Christmas dinner. Having sampled my efforts in the past, she and her son asked if I would smoke it for them. After agreeing, the challenges suddenly compounded.

  • The special importance of Christmas dinner
  • A 15 pound/$65 piece of meat
  • Prep/smoke time to meet a one o’clock meal
  • A miserable day- wind, rain, and cold temperature
  • A Weber grill versus ¼” plate steel smoker

As is my routine, I reviewed Franklin’s step-by-step guide before deciding my course of action. Once again Mr. Franklin and the photographed instructions helped immensely. I have never experienced a sample of his brisket, but the borrowed 22-inch Weber produced an exceptional meal. The family was happy with the results. And I am thankful for this guide to successfully smoking meats.

Worn Pews

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My first notice of worn, scratched or otherwise marred pews was 1995. A member of a Methodist congregation asked me to inspect and suggest remediation of warped flooring in a nearly century old church. The water caused damage was the result of a hurricane.

Alone in the sacred stillness I became aware of, and took time to reflect on, the vast numbers of people who have worshiped in that place over the years. The walnut floor and pews were well worn by sitters and standers; by umbrellas and purses and assorted items; and restless children. They came with their possessions and left their marks. Obviously countless numbers visited and went away spiritually refreshed.

The nonsense of 2020 has allowed me to once again contemplate the important role of religion in our society. Restrictions on local church services requires me to travel 30 miles or so to be in the Lord’s house on Sunday. In doing so, I have found another church with worn pews. The inconvenience of travel is small compared to the peace of worshiping in a church with worn pews.

Humility 2021

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While certainly not an original idea, after all Benjamin Franklin practiced it, each year my resolution is to work toward a virtuous life. For 2021, my project is humility. In preparing for the New Year, I acknowledge a list of steps necessary to be mindful of humility in my life.

  • Expertise/knowledge is limited by finite insight and understanding
  • Appreciate and respect others
  • Listen first and, if necessary, speak in as few words as possible
  • Withhold judgment
  • Blaming is counter-productive
  • Help and learn from each person encountered
  • Uplift others in words and actions
  • Always remember there is a possibility of being wrong
  • Express gratitude in every situation
  • Look for opportunities to serve others
  • All solutions are on God’s schedule
  • Compare things- not people
  • Gossip is most often a form of comparing
  • It is not who is right, but what is right
  • Follow God’s example of total love and complete forgiveness

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less- C S Lewis

Fork in the Road

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Isn’t there one always in life?

You come to a place in life where you need to make a choice. There is a straight, smooth paved road to the right. Usually this is the road you have taken in the past and it ended up being a mistake over and over. The last time delivered you where you are now.

It is tempting because it appears to be easy traveling. Paved with concrete, it must be the quickest way to where you want to go. But like the state turnpike system many tolls are required. In the end it is not cheap when you consider what you must give up- dignity, respect, control of your life, true friendships and family. Welfare comes in many forms, but it is its own prison- a stranger controls every aspect of your life and limits your opportunities. How often are you willing to continually pay the price?

As you stand there deciding which road to take, you see the one on the left is rough, full of potholes and rocks. The view is obstructed by a bend a short distance from where you stand. It is not appealing and looks mysterious if not downright dangerous. Obviously starting down this road will be difficult. If only you had a hot air balloon to elevate yourself and see the opportunities, choices and advantages of this lifestyle a short distance in front of you. On examination you notice each rock has a label- self-discipline, self-respect or one of the virtues. All that is needed is to fill the potholes with the rocks. For once you would be truly free to make decisions that benefit your family and you. A short-term investment in yourself will generate success, satisfaction, and self-worth. From experience you know the other road never works. Isn’t it worth making a sincere effort to try a different way?

Morality and Our Consumer Culture

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When you hear of morality (more often  immorality) you think of someone else’s behavior or life style. Actually morality is an integral part of the many decisions we make each day. Too often our decision or action is taken without considering its morality; its goodness or sinfulness. Yes, sin and evil are part of our world whether you acknowledge it or not. Part Three of the Catechism, entitled LIFE IN CHRIST, begins with a reminder to recognize our dignity in sharing God’s own nature. It cautions Christians not to return to sinful ways. The way of Christ leads to life; a contrary way leads to destruction. Moral decisions are important for our salvation. Through the inner voice of conscience, we are obliged  to follow  the moral law, which urges us to do good and avoid what is evil.

The morality of human acts depends on (1) the object chosen, (2) the end in view or the intention; (3) the circumstances of the action. The object chosen morally specifies the act of willing accordingly as reason recognizes and judges it good or evil. An evil action cannot be justified by reference to a good intention. A morally good act requires the three sources to be in harmony- the goodness of its object, of its end, and of its circumstances together.

You plan to buy new sneakers for an exercise class. Stop a second and  evaluate the purchase by looking at the three sources of morality: the shoes (object/action), healthy exercise (intention), any restriction on your freedom to chose (circumstances). In examining a particular model you notice the shoe was imported from a country which vigorously suppresses religious liberty and actively persecutes Christians and other faiths.  It is hard to see how using a product created in a system that abuses people and their rights can be a good thing, so the purchase must be judged to be wrong. Although you have the good intention to exercise, the choice is still wrong. The circumstances is the final consideration and the one were we too often rationalize away morality- this is only one pair out of millions exported; or whatever excuse. There are alternative manufactures and other ways to exercise without falling into rationalization of a poor choice.

Okay one purchase may not seem a big thing, but likely, we have a consistent pattern of easy choices. This compiling of poor choices would fly in the face of Church teaching on global Social Justice.

Free Will is God’s special gift. Salvation depends on using it wisely.