Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it,
commits sin.
James 4:17
I've been thinking lately about archery. My children recently had the opportunity to try their hand at shooting a bow and arrow at a real target. For me, this brought back memories of my own limited experience as an archer - for years I kept an arrow in my room as a memento.
Archery, of course, is all about aiming and hitting the center of the target. Here there is a connection the spiritual life. You may have heard in a Bible study or sermon that the New Testament word "sin" is actually a Greek word
hamartia. This word
hamartia was used as an archery term, meaning 'to miss the mark.'
Sin, of course, is a complicated topic. We know that Jesus paid for our sins on the cross, and if we confess we are forgiven. But, why do we still mess up?
Again, the archery metaphor is helpful. There are at least two scenarios in which we sin. The first scenario is that we aim at the right thing, but then make an error. Our intentions are not matched by our actions.
More serious, however, is the second scenario: we aim at the wrong thing! This actually happens in archery - you can release the arrow perfectly, but if you have the wrong 'point of aim,' you will miss the bullseye every time.
When we feel stuck in our faith, it might just be a matter of adjusting our aim. Growing as a Christian means – in part - aiming for the rights things. For example, the cardinal virtues of faith, hope, charity, courage, justice, self-control, and practical wisdom. Thanks be to God, the Grace of the Holy Spirit helps us in all of this!
So set some goals, consider the virtues, celebrate the great progress you have already made as a Christian. String your arrow, take your aim, and let it fly!
In Christ,
Fr. Matthew
