This cry of the Psalmist is a cry of an individual who has carefully considered different rules of life and has come to the conclusion that the way of the Lord triumphs all other ways and is best and most desirable for living a good and happy life. Hence the cry,
“Teach me your ways, O Lord.”
In a society of confusion like ours, where there are some forces that seek to make the Truth relative, where there are no absolutes, where the concept of sin is rejected and dismissed – and if there is no sin, then everything is permissible – people growing up in such a society find it increasingly difficult to settle on one fundamental truth as the guiding principle of their lives. And here comes the question for our consideration. Is the Church still relevant today? Does the Church still shine as the guiding star, that informs us and offers us the best solutions for living a happy and meaningful life? The simple answer is an emphatic Yes. And with St. Peter we say, “Lord, to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God” John 6:68-69.
“Teach me your ways, O Lord.”
We have just celebrated the incarnation of the Word of God, the wisdom that made all things. St. John the Apostle put it so beautifully, “All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… [this darkness is the plague of confusion and the relativism that is tormenting our society today, and Christ is the light that shines as the only truth that gives meaning to human life]. “The true light,” St John continues, “which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God” John 1.
“Teach me your ways, O Lord.”
St. Mark recounts the call of the first apostles. “As Jesus passed by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew…and he said to them, ‘come after me’…they abandoned their fishing nets and followed him. He also saw James and John and called them, they left their father in the fishing boat and followed Jesus.” This immediate abandoning of their fishing nets and their father to follow Jesus is, of course, impressive but also arouses curiosity. What is it about Jesus that triggers this immediate response? Well, first, St. Mark has a sense of urgency in his gospel, for example, “Repent, the Kingdom of God is at hand.” There is a sense of urgency there. And the word that occurs frequently is, “And immediately.” There is no time to waste! Jesus moves and acts quickly, and so is our response to him. Second, the grace of God. When God’s grace finds us well disposed, we respond to it with ease and with swiftness.
“Teach me your ways, O Lord.”
As Jesus walked along the lake shores of Galilee watching Simon and Andrew, James and John trying to make a life out of fishing, he called them to a life of higher purpose and fulfillment, in the same way, even today, in our times, Jesus walks along the shores of our societies and our families watching us trying to figure out what to do with life. He calls us to follow him who is the “way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus desires for us to live a good and happy life, but he is the only one who can give us that life.
“Teach me your ways, O Lord.”
In chapter 8 of the gospel of Matthew, a great crowd follows Jesus. A leper comes up to Jesus, pays him homage, and asks to be healed. Jesus touches and heals him, and hands him over to the Church, “go show yourself to the priests and give thanks.” There is also a centurion who comes on behalf of his sick servant. The centurion shows great faith in Jesus, and his servant is healed, as a result. This great movement towards Jesus is for us a convincing sign that all problems of society and of individuals can be solved, and living a happy and meaningful life is possible if only we go to Jesus. This is why the Church is still relevant today. If we are humble enough to acknowledge that there are certain shortcomings in our lives, hence the need for a physician, we will waste no time looking for one. If we notice something contrary to God’s law, we quickly run to the confessional to be healed. But if there is a voice that says, you have no limitations and everything is permissible, then no need for any outside help or any guidance.
The church helps us to believe and to do the unthinkable. How else could we possibly comprehend this rather disturbing action of James and John abandoning their father and their profession to follow Jesus whom they have never met before? Not to mention all those amongst us who have responded to this same invitation for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the sanctity of human life. I just made it back from my trip to Uganda. It was the very first time I missed the warm greeting and the loving smile of my Dad. Yes, it was difficult, but only with the grace of God was I shown that there is something more to this earthly life. Could I manage to take an extra step and follow Jesus, “the way, the truth, and the life.” ?
“Teach me your ways, O Lord.”
Or how else could we believe the teaching “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” Matthew 5:44. “if your enemy is hungry give him food” Roman 12:16-21. Wait a minute! Who does that? How is that even possible? Only by watching Jesus do it first, could we believe that it is possible. And after his example, countless Christians all over the world have given their lives to this new kind of love that feeds and prays for the enemy. Only then can we live in peace. The peace that only Christ can give.
“Teach me your ways, O Lord.”
“I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the Threeness
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven
In obedience of angels
In preaching of apostles
In deeds of righteous men
In innocence of holy virgins, I arise today”
The Gentle Traditionalist by Roger Buck
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