Mission Monthly – July 2001
“In times past, when heresies prevailed, many chose death through martyrdom and various tortures. Now, when we through the grace of Christ live in a time of profound and perfect peace, we learn for sure that the cross and death consist in nothing else than the complete mortification of self-will. He who pursues his own will, however slightly, will never be able to observe the precepts of Christ.”
St. Symeon the New Theologian
Is there anything wrong with being obedient and good for one’s entire life? A recent call to a local radio talk show raised this question in my mind. Madison West High School had been significantly vandalized in what was being called a “senior prank.” The severity of the offense was not only measured by the $5,000.00 price tag to clean up the mess but also by felony arrests, fines and maximum prison sentences of 20 years; not to mention the loss of integrity, embarrassment and a huge cloud stealing the joy of what should have been a time to celebrate the achievement of high school graduation.
I am not going to comment much on the obvious bad judgment and stupidity of these students. There is an interesting presentation of the topic of “group evil” in M. Scott Peck’s book, “The People of the Lie.” One of those arrested was quoted as saying, “We did not intend to do so much damage, but once we got started things just got out of hand.” So too may have their futures.
What really interested me in this one call was a potential “reason” why these boys lost their sensibilities. These individuals were not described as “anti-social” types. They were not blue-haired, body pierced, tatoo-bearing persons who are more often generalized as being capable of such destructive behaviors. Among their numbers was a member of the National Honor Society and an All-State hockey player. Many of these students were high achievers. The caller said that these kids were apparently “good” kids with high expectations placed upon them not only to be good but also to be successful. The expectations of achievement finally got to them and they exploded in a “bust-out moment.” I believe I understood this explanation not because I was looking for a reason to excuse these boys but rather because (probably) without knowing it this caller stumbled on an important spiritual principle. “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15). Like all of us these boys were struggling to be good not just some of the time but all of the time.
We live in a society that promotes the rights of personal freedom, and more often than not it’s a freedom without responsibility. The consequence of this perception is an arousal of fallen man’s distaste for moral restraint. Is there anyone of us who really likes being told what we can and cannot do? There is probably no group within society with greater resentment to restrictions than teenagers, though they certainly do not hold a monopoly on this struggle.
St. Symeon’s words have far reaching implications for all people of all times. As Christians we are no longer openly persecuted like the early Church. Ours is the inner struggle of the flesh against the spirit (Gal. 5:16-26). Might we agree that at some level there is a struggle with the desire for a “bust-out” moment (even within the disciplines of basic Christian faith, virtue, and obedience) within all of us?
I find some respite in talking about it, but the responsibility of Christian vigilance is, in fact, endless. Freedom without responsibility is false and destructive as is the notion of blessing without sacrifice. Is there any hope to avoid feeling the need to “bust-out” and be good for one’s entire life? I’m afraid we will only be able to truly answer “Yes!” with purpose and conviction after the death of self-will. Until then may God help us to see Him in the struggle!