Let the Garbage Man Do It

One of the many barometers for measuring the state of the economy, say money-watchers, is the number of garbage collectors working at any time. The more we buy, the more trash we generate.

The divine economy can be calibrated by the same principle. The more affluent we become spiritually, the more we "put off our old self,...corrupted by its deceitful desires" (Eph 4:22; see Colossians 3:9). The richer we are in spirit, the more "soul garbage" we throw out.

To understand the dynamic of sin displacement - 'disposal of soul garbage"  - we must understand how growth in negartive holiness (absence of sin) relates to growth in positive holiness (the life of virtue). Imagine a glass of water capped with a layer of dirty oil. Adding water to the gass displaces the oil. More water means less oil. The more virtue we acquire,  the more sin we get rid of. "You must rid yourselves," writes Paul, "of all such things as...anger rage, malice, slander, and filthy language" (Col 3:8).

The Lord's "garbage disposal" service is super-efficient; its removal, first of all, is total: "the Lord...forgives all your sins" (Ps 103:2-3). Secondly, the garbage is unreturnable. (Have you ever seen your garbage after it has been removed?) "You...hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea" (Mi 7:19). "If...the wicked man..turns away from his sin,...none of the sins he has committed will be remembered against him" (Ez 33:14-16). That's garbage service!

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net