I often say, "if I had a "rewind" button, it would be worn out." Some of the past we want to throw away. Yet, our errors can reside deep in our memory and resist shedding, although we want to be free of them. "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. One man thinks himself the master of others, but remains more of a slave than they are." Eighteenth century philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote these words, in the first lines of "The Social Contract." Rousseau believed man as naturally good, but corrupted by human society and institutions. He promoted living a natural life, at peace with neighbors and self.

Things said or done, unsaid or undone, can hinder our moving forward. While some people may define us by those things, we are the one who clings to them. Even when others only see us through the filter of incidents past, we must put these occasions, and often those people, behind us. On the other hand, even goodness, achievement, and respect can become a burden, when somehow creating a constant need to prove one's worthiness of that status. A sense that "I am someone" may do little more than fuel fear, ambition, and anxiety against the potential loss of esteem. Either case is movement away from Rousseau's natural life of peace.

St. Paul tells the Philippians that if any of them are confident in their accomplishments in the flesh, that is, doing and being as the world desires, Paul can boast of more in his worldly accomplishments. Paul says that he would be "blameless under the Law" having done all that is expected of the righteous Hebrew. Of those accolades and of all things that came to him as a result, Paul now sees them as "refuse." In Greek texts, the word is "skubalon", a very strong sentiment to show how little value these now hold to Paul. The word may be politely defined as "excrement." Paul had removed himself from the world and into "the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus." Paul had moved away from the shiny honors of the world.

Through faith in Christ, Paul had accepted "the righteousness of G_d," a free gift, dependent only on the willingness to humbly receive it. Paul was willing to share the suffering of Jesus in his life, that he might experience Christ's resurrection in his death. Willfully sharing the mercy that he had received, and loving neighbor as self. This was Paul's natural life of peace.

"Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal...." Take time for gratitude this Lenten season. You are blessed to be able to continue towards the goal of your natural life of peace. Yet, the greatest blessing of is that you have received the heavenly call to be in union with Christ; Welcomed to be at Peace, as the daughters and sons of G_d.

Pax,

jbt