Insatiable World

Throughout history the Church has been faced with extinction from the world. We are always under attack by those who either do not believe in God or believe differently about God than we do. We do our best to live peacefully among them, but alas, we are always under attack.

Jesus was constantly asked what was needed to be saved. “What must I do?” “Who then can be saved?” Today’s question is just as direct. “Who is the greatest?” We do not ask these questions to receive the answer. We ask because we are never satisfied with the answers.

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the man by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the Gehenna of fire. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father -who is in heaven. For the Son of man came to save the lost.”

Matthew 18.1-11

We were warned by Saint Basil the Great that many who ask questions are not seeking answers. They ask so they can argue. He advised us not to engage with them. We know many treated Christ the same way. Many asked Christ questions ‘to test him,’ not to know the truth.

The world is obsessed with debate. Every election season (it seems like we are always in an election season) is a good example of this obsession. When was the last time you heard anyone ask a question to learn the truth? We just want to argue.

Our appetite for argument is never satisfied. I find it to be true even in the Church. As a priest I field questions from all sorts of people about all sorts of topics. Rarely are people asking me questions to learn the truth. Many just want to debate me, even within the Church.

Today’s reading is a good indication of what I mean. If Christians really wanted to know who was the greatest, besides themselves, sin would be much less present within the Church. More people would trust the answers they were given.

Children don’t know everything. The older I get, the more I realize there’s much more I do not know. What I thought I knew even years ago is crushed by what I think I know now. Experience has taught me that I will have the same realization ten years from now.

Knowledge is only helpful if it changes our attitude. The problem with our obsession with debate is that we get knowledge only to solidify our opinion. We do not seek knowledge to change our attitude. Maybe that is what Christ meant when He called to be like children.

When children hear something new, it changes the way they live. When we hear something new, we evaluate the information against our existing beliefs. It the information supports our position, we accept it to be true. It is a daily confirmation of Saint Basil’s warning.

The issue isn’t asking questions. The issue is what we do with the information. If we allow the information to bring us closer to Christ, then it is good. If not, well Christ warned about that too. “It is better to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands.”

The next time you are tempted to ask a question, pause. Instead of asking your question, ask yourself, “Why am I asking this?” The answer will be much more instructive than whatever question you were about to ask.

Trust Saint Basil in this one. The world will never be satisfied with the answers because the world doesn’t want answers. The world wants debate. The world wants to prove itself correct. Since the world is not correct, it will never be satisfied. Only humble child-like faith can satisfy.