Memorial of Saint
Elizabeth Ann Seaton, religious
(I John 3:7-10; John 1:35-42)
Last year's hit movie Brooklyn tells a simple story but delivers a powerful message. A young woman feels trapped in her native
Ireland. She decides to emigrate to the
United States where she falls in love and marries. Then she returns to her native country to
bury her sister. She becomes nostalgic
about Ireland’s charms and considers remaining there. Then she is jolted by the threat of a small minded
meddler who learns of her marriage. The movie
exhibits the import of today’s first reading.
The passage may be confusing at first. It seems to indicate that Christians never
sin. This proposition conflicts with our
experience. The passage intends to say
that sin cannot become Christians’ way of life.
A true child of God will not trade in pornography, kill for hire, or
complacently practice other vices. The
last verse of the reading arrests attention.
Christians not only have to avoid sin but also must love one
another.
Our care for others should move us to seek their
improvement and not their shame. Brooklyn has the high-minded meddler
willing to ruin the young woman’s reputation when she should have reminded her
of the marriage vows that she took. We
need to take note that our quest to live as God’s children is more than not
breaking commandments but includes caring for others as sisters and brothers.
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