6 October 2018
Saturday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Question: Which number is greater: 8 or 9?
Answer: 9.
Question: Which number is better: 8 or 9?
Answer: That depends on context.
Question: Which is a better bed time: 8 or 9 o’clock?
Answer: That also depends on context.
Analysis: We cannot understand what is betteruntil we understand the context. Superficial judgments (e.g. the greatness of a number) come easily to the human mind. Deeper judgments (e.g. what is better) require deeper familiarity with the context.
Scripture: Eventually God deepens Job’s familiarity with the context of the universe (Job 38 ff.).
Application: You must turn to God frequently in prayer and wait for him to deepen your familiarity with the true context of reality. Unless God gives you that gift, at all the levels of your soul, you will never know what is really good, or better or best.