TO JUDGE EACH OF YOU

PRAYER MOMENT                      

Saturday 16 August 2014

TO JUDGE EACH OF YOU

Pause. Be still in God’s presence.

Reading: “In future I mean to judge each of you by what he does.” (Ezek. 18: 1 … 32)

Reflection. The Old Testament reached a high point in this passage from Ezekiel where God says he is now going to hold each person responsible for his or her actions. Up till then one could hide behind the group or the tribe or even “the whole House of Israel.” But no longer! The point has come in the evolution of the people, a point of growth, where each one is held accountable. It is not hard for us to apply this to our experience. I have often noticed how people say “we”. “We haven’t been told.”  “We don’t know what is happening.” “We will just wait and see.” “This is the way everyone does it.” These sentiments are understandable but they indicate a basic avoidance of personal responsibility. I hope Germans will pardon me for speaking of them. They used to be known as an obedient people, always ready to follow a strong leader. Well, that no longer applies. The trauma of unquestioning obedience landed them in two catastrophes in the twentieth century and they are now intently conscious of personal responsibility.      

      

Prayer. Lord, help us to grow in responsibility pofr our own lives and for those of others. Help us to engage in the issues that we face. Amen

David Harold-Barry SJ