Jesus’ Lessons Are Worth Learning Permanetly

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Today’s reading: Matthew 19:10-14

Today’s reading reminds me of something a doctor once said to me — out of frustration over my confession that I’d spent the last four months ignoring his dietary advice for my diabetes.

“If we doctors could follow all of our patients around 24 hours a day, constantly reminding them to do the right thing all the time, we’d reduce all disease and need for medicine by about 75 percent.”

I told him I agreed wholeheartedly, accepted responsibility for my bad habits, and promised to have a great report for him (and better numbers from my lab work) in another four months.

After the appointment, I went straight to my favorite Mexican restaurant for a plate of greasy, carbohydrate-filled enchiladas. My next check-up can be summed up in just one phrase: deja vu.

This same sort of ridiculousness is in play among Jesus’ disciples  in today’s reading.

Jesus sets the men straight on their misguided notion of marriage. (“His disciples said to him, ‘If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.'” (Verse 10)) Then, immediately, they require yet another rebuke: “but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.'” (Verse 14)

It seems what my doctor said about his patients also applies to clergymen — even Jesus —  and their parishioners.

If even one of the pastors I’ve consulted over the years had license for immediate commentary on my decisions, my life — and the lives of  my friends and family– would be dramatically improved. It’s ridiculous how often I nod my head, righteously yell, “Amen,” and promise to give up a bad habit during a Sunday sermon only to happily return to my destructive way just a few hours later. It’s time for me to give up this insanity and to exclusively follow Jesus’s wisdom (and, in turn, that of my pastors and even my doctors).

Thanks be to God for the great teachers of my life. May I finally develop the will to follow their Godly wisdom — without waiting for them to prod me.