30 January 2020
Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Epicurus is a philosopher of the late Classical Greek period who famously warned us to be moderate and refined in our delights, for hedonism is a tricky thing. The way in which Epicurus suggested to be moderate was to avoid the public square. The strategy of withdrawing, according to Epicurus, was the prudent way to deal with the insanity of public affairs: get as far away as possible from the shrines, the town square, the theaters, and the academies. Find yourself a quiet garden, surrounded by flowers, water, and animals. The Christian version of the “Epicurean Option” called the “Benedict Option”, a phrase from Alasdair MacIntyre’s book After Virtue. MacIntyre argues that the classical understanding of virtue and vice is no longer possible in the hazy ideologies that control modern culture. The “Benedict Option” refers to the monastic tradition of St Benedict of Norcia whose isolated monasteries preserved the wisdom of the past during the barbarian invasions and the moral corruption of late Roman civic life. The “Benedict Option” aims to create islands of wisdom and virtue in a sea of chaos.
In the Gospel today, Jesus uses the parable of the lamp. Jesus relies on this parable to clarify misunderstanding of what he said previously to his disciples about the mystery of the Kingdom of God. “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that ‘they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.’” This statement can be misinterpreted that the mystery of the Kingdom of God is only intended for a select few. But the good news is intended for all of humankind. Thus, the word of God must be preached to others, instead of being kept in a closed group of people. The purpose of disclosure of God’s plan to the disciples is precisely that it may be revealed. With the call to listen carefully, Jesus also wants to warn his disciples about the temptation not to plant any seeds because they would not bear fruit as they fall on to rocky ground. Here, Satan successfully takes away our enthusiasm and implants an anxiety so that people will not listen to the word of God. Nevertheless, Jesus wants us to proclaim the Gospel to the world ever more.
We are living in a completely disordered world. The Christian faith is being systematically dismantled by political and even religious authorities. Under these circumstances, both the Benedict option and the call to proclaim the good news might work. Christianity is not intended for the few. It was intended for the Gentiles, the poor, the pagans, and the atheists, not just the chosen people. The Benedict Option might not be a bad option as long as it does not have to be sought out of a sense of despair and fear. Whatever option you think is best, either the Benedict option or proclaiming the good news in public square, discuss it with Jesus in your prayer.