There is much talk nowadays of a book called the "secret." Apparently, it speaks of an "ancient" way, a way that only few seem to know (unless you get the book and then you are part of that 'club'). It makes me wonder why are we so attracted to these kind of things. The "secret" tells you that if you really want to something, you can really really wish it and the universe will re-arrange itself so that you can get it. Awesome, isn't it? These things appeal to us, I believe, because they take away personal involvement, personal accountability, and most especially personal responsibility. I want it, I wish it, I get it. Who wouldn't sign up for that? Of course, if you - like me - wish something and you don't get it, you get a clear answer: you either didn't really want it, or you didn't wish it enough. Possible. Or, maybe, this is not how things work!
We get the same kind of reasoning in today's readings. In the first reading, Ezekiel reminds people that we are all involved in each others well-being. Problems start when we think either that someone "owes" me something or that I don't have to do something for another. So, someone else is responsible for the problems of the world, of the country, of my town, of my family. It's always someone else, and never us individually.
The reality is simple: we must avoid looking at the problems as "the government's fault, the world's fault, or even God's fault," and start by asking "what is my role in this? what can I do so that I can 'convert' - change my mind on this issue - and take responsibility.
Confronted with the Gospel, we see that in a world that seeks to find always a scapegoat we are invited to look at our own faults and our own righteousness.
Jesus is clear: our righteousness must be bigger than that of the scribes and Pharisees. These guys were famous for being super-righteous. They committed themselves to live every single commandment of God (not just the "10" but also the others, for a total of 613). Now, Jesus really wants us to do that? YES!
And that's where the true "secret" of Christianity comes out. It's simple but it may not get us what we really want. It may, however, make us grow in holiness. And this is worth more than anything!
We live knowing that Jesus is present in each person we encounter and therefore we want to "love Jesus in the other" with the same love and affection we have for Him when we are in Church. It is the same Jesus, after all. We do not have different ones: the one in the Word, in the Assembly, in the Priest, in the tabernacle, etc. It's only one! And the very same one who gives Himself to us on the altar is the same one who lives in our Neighbor.
By keeping this in mind our "righteousness" changes and becomes the kind that He desires. Our relationship with other people change as well; we change also, because we become more ourselves when we love. I am reminded of a song I used to sing all the time when I was younger: "Love and you will understand."
This is the true secret - Jesus lives in each one of us, and if we love Him there we can truly get what our heart desires. The universe doesn't have to re-arrange itself anymore because God (the creator of this "universe") has already poured in us all that we need.
This is our time: this is the time when we can truly make a difference in the world. Let's go out there and love Jesus in everyone.
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