Crossing the Line of Transformation

This is the story about the "haves" and the "have nots."

As a child I enjoyed cartoons. My favorite was the Rocky & Bullwinkle Show. It watched it every Sunday morning. About half way through the show, my mother would tell me that I needed to get ready for church. My response: "Aw, do I have to?"

I also loved to play tennis. I played all the time - except when my father laid down the law and told me that I had to do my chores. I guess I was quite spoiled, and I resented having to interupt my tennis. My father was quite handy with tools and was able to do most home repairs. My dad became quite angry with me when I told him that I would rather be playing tennis than learning how to use a soldering tool. He gruffly told me how I would appreciate knowing the skill when I owned my own home. "Electricians are quite expensive, you know." I responded that I would make enough money to hire someone to do the work. This only made him more angry. So he "insisted" that I watch him. My silent response: you can make me watch, but I sure don't have to learn!

Obviously, as one matures, we realize that in order to get ahead in life, there are certain rules to follow. We are wise to attend to our obligations. This carries over to our spiritual life. In order to get to heaven, there are certain things that you have to do. Follow the ten commandments to the best of your ability. Go to mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. Confess and do penance. Our eternal destiny is based on how well we do these things.

Or, you may think this is hogwash.

You may surmise that because Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that it doesn't matter how we live, since we believe in Jesus. "As long as I confess my serious sins, I can do just about anything I want. I will at least slide into purgatory." Or, your motto may be "eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow I die." So I don't have to do much of anything to get to heaven.

I submit to you that neither of these ways of living results in transformation.

The rule-making and obligation-minded "Pharisee" is probably living a joyless, burdened life. "Woe is me, life is so hard!" The Bible calls this "living under the law." Like Atlas, carrying the world on his shoulders. Oh, such a victim!

The irresponsible and rebellious "Sadducee" is probably living a meaningless, lust-filled life. "Whatever!" is his pomo motto. The Bible calls this "living in the flesh." Like Esau, more interested in his next meal than in his inheritance. Oh, such a fool!

So, how does one experience transformation? By breaking the cycle of sacrifice and rebellion. Jesus tells us twice in the Gospel of Matthew how to escape. He says: "Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." In the mass, the priest prays during the Eucharistic Prayer: "See the victim whose death has reconciled us to yourself." The sacrifice of Jesus, the Victim, grants victory to those who believe.

Now, instead of offering sacrifices to appease an angry God, we are able to freely offer ourselves out of gratitude for God's salvation. We no longer "have to." We now "choose to" because we are thankful for God's amazing gift. Jesus' yoke truly is easy, His burden light. This is truly a transformation. It is a new birth. We are now children of God, adopted into his family. We are his friends! Even when we are disobedient (i.e. "we choose not to"), the Father does not disown us. He will chastise us as His children. The loving Father knows what is best for us. He knows that obedience is preferable. And we know as well, since He has given us the Holy Spirit as a down-payment, as a guarantee of our future.