In Colossians 2, St. Paul tells us that we are to walk in Christ, “be rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one captivates you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to the tradition of men … and not according to Christ.”
How can we tell if we are rooted in Christ, rather than simply accepting our culture with all of its strengths and weaknesses? There are a number of ways, and one is to be a people of thanksgiving. Do I thank God for the new day and for a God and others who love me? Do I thank God that I have food on the table and a roof over my head? Do I thank God that I have resources that allow me to help others with time or money or transportation or knowledge? Do I thank God that He is compassionate, gracious and merciful, as many of the psalms tell us? Do I rejoice that God has “forgiven all of our transgressions,” our sins as we confess them?
How can we tell when we are captivated “with an empty, seductive philosophy according to the tradition of humans”? Rather than thanksgiving and peace – signs of God’s presence – seductive ways of thinking arise from perversions of culture and philosophies and from the evil spirit. Their signs are anger, envy, lust, pride, an inability to listen to others, and even violence.
The news showed scenes outside of schools and in open school board meetings of people shouting and pushing and demonizing others. Some were yelling about freedom. But is such anger and rage freedom? As St. Paul tells us, “It is for freedom that God has set you free.”
How unfree the angry are when compared with the young John Lewis on the Edmund Pettus Bridge when he was beaten and concussed by the police as he and others tried to walk to Selma. The police and the angry white mob were the unfree ones, caught up in the lie of racism, a perverse way of thinking which denied that we are all equal children of God. John Lewis and the other peaceful marchers were free in Christ, for they prayed for those who beat them. As Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.”
Let us pray that we and all Christians may be rooted in Christ and, through our following of Him, may turn from those parts of our culture that cause us to devalue others and fall into anger and rage. Instead, may we abound in thanksgiving, seeking the good of all, and living in the love of God and neighbor. Lord, make us channels of your peace.
Jesuit Father John Michalowski is the parochial vicar of St. Peter Church in Charlotte.