Ignoring

Just as gaming is not a bad thing, it can become a bad thing when it is used in an unnatural way – when it replaces the things that we really should be doing.

Christ in the Wilderness. The Foxes Have Holes (Stanley Spencer)

My son often tries to ignore me.  This is a very normal thing for adolescent boys to do and is generally nothing to be alarmed about – it is more inconvenient than anything else, but nevertheless it is something that I have been thinking about.

Over the last few years I have found that when my son is playing games on his computer, he is most likely to ignore my instructions.  Generally, this is because he would rather have fun on the game rather than listening to boring old instructions like – do your homework or eat your dinner or clean your room or brush your teeth.

And I have been thinking about that over the last few days as I have been thinking about how much damage this can cause – even when things are not that drastic.  You see, if a child is gaming and refuses to eat, they will be hungry.  If they refuse to complete homework they will soon fail at school.  If they are refusing to brush their teeth or participate in other things in life they will also be affected by those things.  Of course, I am speaking of an extreme example.  Most children like my son eventually listen to their mothers and eventually get off the computer and the games and the damage that gaming causes remains relatively insignificant.

I have been reflecting on the damage that can be caused when I disobey my God.  When I ignore Him and the instructions that He is sending to me…

You see, I am not very different from my son on his computer when he is ignoring me and trying to enjoy his game.  There are things – after all – that are more interesting than the things of the next world.  It is much more interesting to spend time on pleasurable things that may not be very good for my immortal soul.  It is far more fun to party with friends than it is to receive the Sacraments.  And just as gaming is not a bad thing, it can become a bad thing when it is used in an unnatural way – when it replaces the things that we really should be doing.  It becomes a bad thing when I choose gaming – or any of the things of this world – and ignore my God.

And I have been thinking about that today because it seems to me that I have caused a great deal of damage in my own life all because I would rather listen to my own self-interest rather than follow the Holy Will of God.  And it occurs to me today that when I am ignoring the instructions that God is whispering to me, I am only harming myself.  You see, God is perfect with or without me.  He does not need me and it is only through His love, which is perfect, that I can cause Him pain.  And I do – when I am ignoring Him.  Because that is when I harm myself – and He only wants me to do what is best for me!

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.