Isn’t that something that everyone appreciates? Does not advice that is good bring about good results and makes our lives better, more peaceful and joyful, and helps us to achieve our hopes and dreams?
No wonder that God, the good and wise and Holy One, is forever giving good advice to us.
And the most fundamental good advice of all is to just stay connected with him — to keep God in our lives, to listen, to seek, and to make harmony with the Lord; and that also means to avoid the bad and seek the good.
Turn away from sin
Isaiah puts voice to God’s advice in this way: “Remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted.”
Yes, God well advises that we dump the sinful and messy stuff and live and do the good.
Simple and very direct advice!
+ But does not Jesus say and do the same?
Criticized once again because he “eats and drinks with sinners and tax collectors,” he has but one reply: “I came to reconnect them with God. Bring them back into harmony.”
He didn’t actually say those words; but in effect, that is exactly what he was doing.
He even explains with the perfect metaphor.
He is a doctor who comes to bring healing to the sick.
The healthy don’t need a doctor (unless you believe in preventive medicine), but the sick do.
Since everyone at some time or another needs healing, presumably we are very lucky and no doubt very comforted with Jesus’ words.
But isn’t that what doctors and Jesus, and God our Father, always do — give good advice?
The question is: “Do we take it?”
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
