Here we are in the midst of Advent and doing our best to “hold it together”.  All we have to do is look around and be overwhelmed by the things that are aimed at getting us to notice them: that advertised sale that we’ll miss if we hesitate, that Christmas Concert we promised to attend to see the neighbor kids, the little kids pageant, the Choir concert, the awesome decorations/lights in the fancy neighborhood, the Christmas parade, the windows downtown.  Whoa!  It seems that there is a never ending list of things that compete for our scrutiny in these days of celebration. Needless to say, the clamor and running to and fro are simply exhausting.  It seems like the whole world is making a bid for our personal consideration. 

          The pull of things of the season is powerful beyond words.  It’s so strong, as a matter of course, that it literally leaves us no choice but to obey the impetus.  There is no time to think only time to “keep up” in order to get to the next event or check off one more thing on the holiday to do list.  Answer these questions; “Which shopping excursion or attendance at one more social obligation has given you the most peace?”, “How much time have you spent contemplating the birth of Jesus this Advent?”, “How much time have you spent with your family observing Advent together?”

If you’re like the rest of us, your answers are most likely in the negative.   Isn’t it interesting that in this season that hinges on the birth of Jesus we are all drawn to see everything that has nothing to do with our Savior?  We are completely convinced to move away from intimacy with God and His Son by virtue of our own eyes.  What we see completely hijacks our thinking, praying, praising, celebration of the living God while visions of candy canes, elves and toys to be purchased dance in our heads. It’s the lie of what is most obvious around us.

          Scripture teaches us this:  “We are not discouraged:  … our inner self is being renewed day by day. … as we look not to what is seen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinth 4:16, 18)

If you were a student of the “old” catechism you might be familiar with a term which was used in that teaching: “The custody of the eyes.”   Who’s in charge of what you take in with your eyes?   When we take in things with our vision they literally imprint our spirit in an unspeakable and permanent way.  That’s why we are warned to guard our vision.  What we see can literally out-compete the unseen things that our soul is craving for.  We need to be constantly aware of that.  As a Catholic writer you need to be especially aware of the balance between what you see and what gets created on the page in front of you.  As a person who has been given the gift of public declaration what are you doing during this season of light? Are you the voice calling people to pay attention to what they see around them or are you the one who teaches folks to stop and seek those things that can’t be seen?   Which is the greater gift?  You decide!

Kathryn is a retired junior high teacher. A convert with a love for the Church she believes that its teachings have a more than viable application for today's world. She writes practical theological for the people in the pews believing that they have as much right to good catechesis as our youth and converts. Her writings appear on Catholic web sites and local Church publications. She has even been published in the diocese of Australia and most recemtly Zenit. Kathryn holds a Master's in Theology and is a certified spiritual director. Learn more about Kathryn at: www.atravelersview.org

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By Catholic Writing and Publishing4 Comments on The Obvious Lie

4 Replies to “The Obvious Lie”

  1. If we find we are distracted by the world or that we are slaves to our schedules then the way to make time for God is to put Him into our schedule. I personally love my Holy Hour on Tuesday evening. It is time that is scheduled for me to be at church and that hour is spent in total silence. Other ideas could be 20 minutes a day to say a rosary, read scripture listen to sacred music. Find a God centered activity that you are personally drawn to and schedule it like you schedule your Pilates class or the kids Karate Class.

    1. Thanks Dennis, good ideas. First, though we need to become aware that there are things that the Lord wants us to consider that we can’t see. You’re right, Adoration is “where it’s at”? In my experience with the people in the pews I am often surprised at how little understanding there is of the need to find prayer time outside of Mass.

  2. From today’s first reading:
    “But I will leave as a remnant in your midst
    a people humble and lowly,
    Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD:
    the remnant of Israel.
    They shall do no wrong
    and speak no lies;
    Nor shall there be found in their mouths
    a deceitful tongue;” – Zeph 3:10-11

    Thank you for accepting God’s light shining on “the Lie(s).”

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