GUILT! ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Daily Reflections

Tuesday, 21^stFebruary 2017,

Seventh Week in the Ordinary Time

Memorial of St. Peter Damian

Sir 2: 1-11;

Ps 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40;

Mk 9: 30-37.

GUILT!

In the Gospel passage, we see the apostles arguing about first places. This tussle is a familiar scene in our families and society. On the journey through Galilee with his disciples, Jesus was teaching. Instead of being attentive, the apostles were busy talking. He asks what they are talking about and is met with silence because they were immediately filled with feelings of guilt. They were having a foolish argument about who was the greatest among them and when Jesus asked them what they were discussing, they were ashamed to admit it. They knew their conversation was foolishness. Jesus goes on to offer the beautiful teaching on true humility. But let’s take a look at the lesson from the Apostles’ experience of guilt.

Is guilt a bad thing? Is it undesirable to feel guilt? Sadly, in our world today it seems that most forms of guilt are slowly dissipating and many people are becoming more obstinate in their violations of God’s law with a “guilt free” conscience. But the truth is that guilt is often a good thing! It’s good when the guilt you feel is a result of a clear understanding of your moral failure. Guilt, in this case, is a sign that your conscience is working. However, in our day and age, a lack of healthy guilt is often the more common problem.

Perhaps the lesson we should take from this encounter Jesus had with His Apostles is that it is good and healthy to experience guilt in our lives when it is clear that we have done something wrong. And it is good and healthy to be attentive to this guilt as an invitation to change our ways. After Jesus gently reproved the Apostles, He then gently taught them the meaning of true greatness. This is also the approach He will take with us when we humbly experience guilt for our sins.

Are you blessed with a balanced, good and healthy conscience that does experience appropriate guilt as needed so as to guide you when you go astray? Seek this middle way of a virtuous conscience and allow our Lord to be your daily guide.

Prayer: Lord, I offer to You my conscience. I know that my conscience is a sanctuary, a holy place, where I am called to meet You and hear Your voice. May my conscience always be open to the full truth of Your Gospel so that I may be guided by You each and every day. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen!