24th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Wednesday - Quit playing games with God

 

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 physical attributes 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 a lie about Jesus, and then believe that lie so they don’t have to change their behavior. 

In our own time, we often find ourselves playing these same games with God. We might rationalize our actions or decisions by telling ourselves, "God will understand," or "It’s not that big of a deal." We make excuses to avoid confronting the hard truths about our lives, our relationships, and our spiritual commitments. Just like the people in the Gospel, we create distractions or false narratives to justify staying in our comfort zones, rather than embracing the call to conversion and growth.

But what if we stopped playing these games? What if we approached our relationship with God and our fellow human beings with honesty, vulnerability, and genuine openness? Jesus calls us to a life of authenticity, where we no longer hide behind excuses or manipulate others for our own gain. To drop the games, the masks, and the excuses, and to encounter Him with open hearts. He invites us to face the truth about ourselves, even when it's uncomfortable, and to grow in genuine love and compassion.

Remember, God sees through our games and loves us anyway. He longs for us to come to Him as we truly are, with all our flaws and struggles. In doing so, we open ourselves to His transforming grace and find the deep peace and joy that come from living in truth and love.

Only when we stop making excuses and face the truth of the Gospel can we experience the fullness of the life God desires for us for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that we may be a community of authenticity and truth, rejecting manipulation and embracing genuine love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For world leaders, that they may set aside political games and work honestly for the good of all people. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those struggling with addiction or unhealthy behaviors, that they may find the strength to face their challenges without excuses. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish community, that we may grow in honesty and vulnerability in our relationships with God and one another. Let us pray to the Lord.

That the sick and the poor may know the compassion and charity of the Church and the closeness of God in their afflictions.

For those who have died, that they may be welcomed into the fullness of God's truth and love in eternal life. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Heavenly Father, hear our petitions. Grant us what we truly need to pierce through the hardness of our hearts, so that we may live in the fullness of the life of Christ. Through the same Christ our Lord.