A Reflection on Sin and Distraction, Virtue and the Spiritual Life
“Wrong Way” Roy
The annual New Year’s Day Rose Bowl is the oldest and among the most prestigious of the post-season college football bowl games. The 1929 Rose Bowl was made particularly memorable when, midway through the second quarter, University of California center Roy Riegels picked up a Georgia Tech fumble and, quickly disoriented, ran 65 yards toward the wrong goal line.
Farther From the Goal
The woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Genesis 3:6
Roy’s run is a metaphor for the daily struggle of the Christian life. Sin disorients us. We are led to do things we think will make us happy, things which may in fact bring momentary pleasure. To Adam and Eve, the fruit of the forbidden tree seemed “good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom.” In reality, however, their and our sinful choices leave us farther from our goal.
Clothed in Animal Skin
Adam and Eve lived in the presence of God, naked and unashamed (Genesis 2:25). Having been created in His image and likeness, they were clothed in the mantle of God’s glory (“the robes of righteousness,” Isaiah 61:10). In their act of disobedience, they threw off this spiritual covering. As Adam and Eve hid in their shame, God in his mercy provided them “garments of skin” for a covering (Genesis 3:21). Sadly and appropriately, they exchanged the robes of righteousness for the clothing of a beast.
The Spirit is Willing, but the Flesh is Weak
It is an undeniable truth that even the best of us have a tendency toward disordered desires and appetites. The Apostle Paul laments, “The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.… Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:18b-19, 24-25a). Paul continues, “Those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit with things of the spirit. The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace” (8:5-6).
Taken Down Or Taken Up
The thieves crucified with Jesus were both guilty. One demanded of Jesus, “Save yourself and us!” The other prayed, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” One wanted to be taken down, the other to be taken up. One longed for the world and the flesh, the other for God and the spirit. Which thief are you and I usually more like?
“The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
Galatians 5:22-23
Paul elsewhere contrasts works of the flesh with the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). Prayerfully reading those divergent lists can be a valuable meditation. As we advance in holiness, we should be further disdaining the fleshly works, and growing in each of the spiritual virtues. How fruity am I? How fruity are you?
True Happiness
“We often live as if our happiness depended on having,” states Fr. Henri Nouwen in his spiritual classic Life of the Beloved. “But I don’t know anyone who is really happy because of what he or she has. True joy, happiness, and peace comes from the giving of ourselves to others.” True happiness comes not from having, but in living the fulfilled life, in doing what we were meant to do. Jesus came to sacrificially orient us toward the happiness goal line, to lead us toward “the more abundant life” (John 10:10). St. Catherine of Siena affirms, “Be who God meant you to be and you’ll set the world on fire.” St. Irenaeus echoes both: “The Glory of God is the human being fully alive.”
“God looked at everything he made, and it was very good.”
Genesis 1:31
God made us body and soul. The needs of both are real. Focusing on worldly wants and needs is not sinful in and of itself, but doing so at the expense of our spiritual needs is unwise and unhealthy. The same can be said of neglecting our physical needs (and those of others) while devoting all our time to spiritual matters.
Anxious and Worried
God gave us dominion over material creation – that we might till and keep it, bless and sanctify it. All that he made is good, and meant to be enjoyed in justice, charity, and temperance. When we use God’s gifts in unjust, selfish, and unbalanced ways they are no longer a blessing but a burden.
While Mary of Bethany prayerfully sat listening to Jesus, her sister Martha was “distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:38-42). The Biblical word for distracted can also be translated burdened, or encumbered. “Martha, Martha,” Jesus told his friend and disciple, “you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part.” With what are you burdened? What am I anxious and worried about?
The Game is Only Half Over
Roy Reigels was chased down by a teammate, who caught him at the 3-yard line and tried to turn Roy around before both were swarmed by Georgia Tech players and downed at the 1. Rather than run a play, Cal elected to punt out of the end zone. The punt was blocked, resulting in a safety and 2 points for Tech, the only points of the first half. Roy was understandably distraught, and told his coach he couldn’t play the second half. “I’ve ruined you, I’ve ruined myself, I’ve ruined the University of California. I couldn’t face that crowd to save my life.” His coach replied, “Roy, get up and get back out there. The game is only half over.”
Begin Again
St. Teresa of Calcutta was known to sometimes greet her nuns outside the confessional and encourage them, “Begin again, Sister.” Roy Riegels got up, and got back out there. He played a stellar second half, but Cal still lost the game 8-7, the safety proving to be the difference. Nonetheless, Roy was elected team captain and named an All-American the following season, and for the rest of his life made it a point to comfort and encourage others that made similar mistakes.
The game isn’t over. Every temptation or distraction is an opportunity to refocus and begin again. Get back out there. Comfort and encourage others. If someone you love is heading in the wrong direction, try to help turn him around. Go to confession regularly. Receive the Eucharist often. Take time to sit at Jesus’ feet in adoration and prayer. Meditate on Scripture and the lives of the Saints. Fast not only during Lent, but deny yourself in small ways throughout the year. Love your neighbor. Enjoy the goodness that surrounds you. That is the path to true happiness, and the goal of the Christian life.
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