“Thus says the LORD the God of hosts: Woe to the complacent in Zion! Lying upon beds of ivory…” – Amos 6:1, 4
Have you ever tried to maintain a garden? It’s not an easy task. If neglected for even just a few days, it will soon be overgrown by weeds. You can’t be complacent if you want a healthy garden and a fruitful harvest
Sister Carolyne, Program Coordinator in Nkokonjeru, Uganda for CARITAS' Catholic child sponsorship programs, considers her next steps tending her garden.
The same could be said about our spiritual lives. Sin can easily take root and choke our souls if we do not work to cultivate virtuous habits every day. We must remain vigilant. Saint Peter encourages us to “stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, solid in your faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Christ is the source of our strength in this spiritual battle, and prayer is the means by which we tap into His power. Maintaining a consistent relationship with God through prayer is the only way we can endure the temptations that come our way. Without His help, we don’t stand a chance.
What’s the best way to make sure you’re praying every day? Do it first thing in the morning. Set aside the first 15 minutes or half hour of your day for the Lord. Spend that time with Him by reading the Scriptures, or simply try to be still and let Him meet you in the silence. This may be very difficult at first, but as with anything, it will become easier with practice. Developing this spiritual discipline will surely keep the weeds of sin at bay.
Along with prayer, we must also make the practice of charity a consistent habit in our lives. It is tempting to become self-centered and comfortable once our own particular needs are satisfied. But, as Christians we are called to love one another, not just ourselves.
Too often we become insulated from the needs of others, especially the poor. It’s easier to turn away than it is to look injustice in the eye. We avoid talking with the beggar on the street for the same reason we avoid thinking about the one billion people in our world who live on less than $1 a day. It’s more convenient to ignore the uncomfortable realities of poverty than it is to admit that they exist, because that would require us to change.
We can no longer be complacent. There are too many weeds of sin and poverty to pull. Let’s get to work praying and loving those in need, so that the kingdom of God will flourish.
Merciful Father, forgive our sins of sloth and complacency. Set our hearts on fire with love for you and for our neighbors. Amen.
