Change your mind

The other day I jokingly said to a member of our parish staff, "There are two classes of human beings who have the right to change their mind: women and priests." Well, she agreed with the former. No surprise there.

In our busy daily lives we priests are asked to make many choices and many decisions. Sometimes we need to do so on the spot and other times we have a little time (about 15 seconds) to think it over. I know it can be frustrating to musicians, for example, when Father says he prefers a certain song over another. The cantor or choir decides, "Ok, we'll sing that one." Off they go to their usual Wednesday evening rehersal. Then, five minutes before Mass begins, Father decides that another song would be more appropriate. I try not to do that and pretty much leave the music up to those who know what they are doing or better yet, those who know what they are singing. It certainly makes for more peaceful relations.

But, can you imagine that God himself: the Almighty, the All Powerful, the totally "Other," the master of the universe would ever change his mind? I mean, why bother? But today's first reading from Exodus 32: 7-14, indicates that through the pleading of the chosen leader Moses, God indeed ". . . relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people." A big "Whew" because they did deserve it. (Destruction that is, not forgiveness). Exodus tells us the Almighty One was fed up and had it up to here with these "stiff-necked people." They had become "depraved" and soon "turned aside from the way I pointed out to them." So, I can imagine God saying to Moses who respectfully pleades with God on behalf of ". . . your own people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt," "Good idea Moses. Nice try but I don't have time to play games. How about if I just wipe the slate clean and start all over again?" Yet, Moses wins the bargain!

He appeals to God's own best nature, as if the Lord has anything but something less than a good and perfect nature. He reminds God about his early desire and about the promise and hope that God has for a people: "I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky." (aka: Abraham). In the end we learn that the "Totally Other's" first choice is not to destroy but to bring to life, to extend mercy and reconciliation; to offer a second, third, and fourth chance. Yeah Moses!!

As we approach the two week mark before the glory of Easter and that exalted season, now might be the time for us all to change our own minds. If our Lenten discipline begun with resolve and the best of intentions what seems a lifetime ago on February 17th, Ash Wednesday, has yet to do more than merely sputter along, now might be the time to indeed change our minds and our hearts.

C.S. Lewis in his book, The Weight of Glory, , speaks about our effort to begin again: "We may never, this side of death, drive the invader out of our territory, but we must be in the Resistance . . . our morning prayer should be '. . . grant me to make an unflawed beginning today, for I have done nothing yet.'"

It's never too late to change your mind and to begin again. As a priest,I do it all the time!