I’m coming back to Richard Rohr
today, because he describes something which is at the root of all the violence,
hatred, bigotry, all the “religious wars” and the toxic politics both in the
USA these days and elsewhere. I feel it is a particularly appropriate
commentary at this time here in the United States. Here is what he has to say:
I’ve met many holy people around the world,
but I’ve also encountered people that I’d have to describe as evil. If I would
try to describe the evil people and evil events that I’ve encountered, they’re
invariably characterized by a sense of certainty and clarity. They suffer no
self-doubt or self-criticism, smirking at people who would dare to question
them. They own no shadow from their side, which is always a sign that their
evil has been projected elsewhere. Often they are overtly religious. Remember,
the very word satan means ‘the accuser.’ Be careful when you see
yourself accusing or as Jesus says, ‘throwing stones’ (John 8:8). It is the
satanic disguise, a marvelous diversionary tactic. (Richard Rohr, “Thing hidden: scripture
as spirituality, pp. 135-136.
It will be very easy to choose
to point to whom Rohr is describing in this passage, and in some cases you—or we—may
be correct. Nonetheless, if we are to maintain a mature spirituality (that
phrase is Rohr’s and I’ve decided to adopt it), we must look to ourselves to
see if we harbor any of these tendencies, and then ask the Lord to help uproot
them from our own souls and from our own lives.
I also can’t help thinking of a
verse from Revelation (12:10) “the accuser of our brethren has been thrown
down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” A good verse to remember,
especially during this Year of Mercy.
God bless you!
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