There is a famous book on human psychology, published back
in the 1960s called Games People Play. The book isn’t talking about board games like
monopoly or trivial pursuit, or children’s games like hop-scotch or kick the can. The book explains the often selfish and
manipulative "games" adults play with each other in their
interpersonal relationships. Think of a boss who throws tantrums in order to
get his employees to do his bidding, or a beautiful woman using her voluptuousness to get what she wants.
We even play games with ourselves: the little lies we tell
ourselves in order to justify certain behavior.
“I’m so stressed, I deserve to eat an entire carton of cookie dough ice
cream. Or, I had such a hard day, I deserve to have six whiskies.” Or think of
the way we point out people’s flaws so we can justify not associating with them,
or helping them.
In the Gospel today, Jesus talks about playing games with
God. He describes the behavior of his
generation, as a bunch of children playing games in the street instead of
taking the word of God seriously. Instead of heading the preaching of John the
Baptist, they claim he is possessed by a demon. Instead of heading the
preaching of Jesus, they claim he is a drunkard and a glutton. They create and
believe a lie about Jesus, so they don’t have to change their behavior.
Of course, no one does that today…
What a challenging word the Gospel is for us today. To examine the games we play with God and
with one another. What lies do I tell
myself in order not to pray as much as I should? What lies do I tell myself in
order to indulge in sinful behavior? What lies do I tell myself in order not to
serve as much as I should? What lies do I tell myself in order not to reach out
to the estranged and the lonely?
The quiet solemnity of Advent provides a perfect opportunity
for serious self-examination. And upon
discovering the selfish games we play, we seek the Lord’s mercy in the
Sacrament of Confession, and make a firm promise to change.
May the Holy Spirit lead us to the change of heart, the
change of attitude, the change of behavior God wants for us this Advent, that
conforming our lives to Christ, we may bear his truth and love to all the word,
for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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