Psalm Reflection: The Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A)

“For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.” - Psalm 89

When was the last time you admitted that you were wrong? How long did it take and how big or small of an issue was it over?

We have developed a strange habit in both American and Christian cultures alike of being unable to admit that we might not know everything, or that we made a mistake.

Failure seems antithetical to the modern American dream. Teens compete for the perfect GPA, resumé and recipe of extracurriculars to make them rise above the rest. Student athletes strive to be the best because that is the only way they might get scouted, receive a scholarship and have a chance at financial stability. I have had a few instances where athletes have gotten injured playing a game on a retreat or at youth group, and the first words out of their mouths are always exactly the same: “my life is over.” This attitude of the need to be perfect persists into adulthood. As we continue to compare ourselves to others on social media, we are also racing for careers, salaries, titles and whatever else we think will make us happy. 

This attitude is alive and well in Christianity. For Catholics who claim to have lived in the fullness of truth, we can sometimes conflate the perfection of truth with our own ability to understand and articulate it. For a Church that professes to be made up of sinners, it is ironic how few of us actually admit it and accept our imperfections outside of the confessional.

These ideas are antithetical to the Gospel. 

It is God alone who is good and capable of fulfilling our every desire. 

It is God alone who is always right and true. 

It is God alone who is always seeking our greatest good, even more than we often do for ourselves.

If we want to live this words of this Psalm, we need to have humility and recognize that God is God and we are not. We cannot see God’s goodness if we are too concerned with our own. We cannot allow our understanding of truth to be depend and stretched until we are able to admit that we don’t know everything.

Unfortunately, most of what social media has offered over this past month has been a display of the opposite: countless Christians (myself included) arguing louder and snarkier about the fact they are right, while refusing to listen or take a moment to admit that they actually might be fallible. *GASP*

Yes, it is possible to be wrong as a Christian. It is practically in the definition: we are SINNERS in need of a Savior. And yet, in today’s world it is harder and harder to authentically admit it, or to listen with ears to learn and understand rather than correct and debate.

This week, find someone in person or online saying something you think is wrong, misguided, incorrect, etc. and do not offer any correction or debate. Instead, ask questions about why they think that to better understand where they are coming from. Trust that their intentions are good no matter what you may feel about the topic or issue at hand. I guarantee that, if you are truly open and humble, you will see the goodness of the Lord in that person and conversation, instead of a platform to try and be right, witty or self-righteous. You can do it.

I would rather be charitable and misguided, than a proud jerk who is always right. What about you?

We are praying for you this week.

See you in the Eucharist.

Matt