Christian life: 'Because Mom says so'

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  George Edward Schmitz

"I am going away and I will come back to you" (John 14:28).

My brother frequently travels for business trips. His four-year old daughter always finds it hard to be away from her daddy. She cries each time he calls while he's away.

She doesn't yet understand that his job is for the good of the family, but it has to take him away sometimes. All she knows is that daddy should be with his family whenever possible.

Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 16, 2004) Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 Rv 21:10-14, 22-23 Jn 14:23-29

My niece has a point. A father is important when he is home. As I was growing up, chores around the house got done much faster and easier when my dad could help.

Of course, in his absence, everyone picked up more of the load. That meant doing all the yard work and fixing the '79 Chevy LUV without him.

Still, only dad was able to do the major tasks like repairing the leaky roof or battling the septic tank. Some things had to wait "until dad got home." We couldn't do the big jobs without him.

I've sometimes wondered what work pulled Jesus away from his earthly family. Wouldn't our jobs as Christians be a lot easier if he were here in person?

When Jesus left, did he expect we would naturally pick up a bigger share of the load until he came back? We know how to do the "smaller" jobs, i.e. visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, and so on.

But how many challenges do we face daily that we feel are beyond our abilities?  How do we protect the unborn and the innocent, feed the starving nations, promote peace, etc.? Which jobs do we leave for Jesus?

During the few trips my father made, my siblings and I implicitly understood that while he was gone, mom alone "was in charge." Somehow, it seemed a little easier to get away with bad behavior with mom than dad. If I ever caused trouble, I worried more that my dad would find out.

Looking back I realize how little sense that makes. My mom would inevitably share with my dad any mischief of which I was guilty. Still it didn't change that I felt more freedom when I was answering primarily to mom. When dad was home, I HAD to do what he asked, but I seemed to have a choice when mom asked.

Some people view the church the same way. All Christians agree that we must do what Jesus asks, but not all agree that we have to do what the church (our mother) asks.

	Reflection questions • How do you help out a little more until Jesus returns? • Do we view the church as a reliable authority for our guidance?

Some think we are obliged only to follow Jesus' words in the Bible but that you may choose freely among the church's teachings. After all, we will answer directly to Jesus when he returns, not the church.

However, his first question might be, "Why didn't you do everything your mother asked?"

George Edward Schmitz is a fifth year graduate student in the Microbiology Doctoral Program at UW-Madison. He is co-leader of the graduate/young professional and Mustard Seed groups at St. Paul University Catholic Center.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

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