Steven M Schisler
Jul 28, 2017 · 3 min read

. If you’re reading this on some electronic media, you’ve probably seen and taken a quiz or two to see how smart you are, what your IQ is or checking your knowledge of useless trivia. I like the ones that are done well. I just took another one proving that I’m a genius yesterday, in fact. Maybe some of them don’t accurately point to the right conclusion… Well, I have one for you, and I think it will point to a correct conclusion. Read the Ten Commandments and tell me what one word it makes you think of. I can tell you that when I was young, that one word was DON’T. Don’t do this, don’t do that, don’t, don’t, don’t.

. Today’s readings ( EX 20:1–17, MT 13:18–23) prompted me to come up with the quiz. Exodus lists the Ten Commandments, you know the ones we can’t put up in our schools and courtrooms anymore. Jesus then in our Gospel explains the parable of the sower and the seed, speaking about God’s Word and the receptivity of our hearts for it to grow in.

. A “paradigm” is basically, the way in which you view or see things. How did you see the Ten Commandments? When I was younger, I was focused primarily on ME, and therefore I saw them as restrictive, telling me of all the things I couldn’t do. As I’ve gotten older, I have become more “other” centered in many ways, and also “God” centered. I have grown in relationship with Him enough to realize the incredible blessings and gifts with which I have been gifted. I have grown to know, realize and understand better His LOVE for me and for all of us and creation. Now when I see the Ten Commandments, the Word I first think of is “LOVE”.

. My whole paradigm has shifted, from me to something other than me… if you only see “DON’T!”, then the soil of your heart is not yet as receptive and fertile for God’s Word as it can and should be. By forcing a paradigm shift in your focus, you can begin the change of that soil! By trying to recognize God’s love and gifts in your life and others. By having an attitude of gratitude instead of just wanting more, more, more. By looking for the positive instead of the negative. By reading God’s word and spending time in meditation, prayer and receiving the Sacraments. By accepting others and yourself, giving and receiving forgiveness and mercy. Pretty soon, you’ll start recognizing the Ten Commandments as Loving God and Loving Others instead of Things telling you don’t do this or that. Try it, it works! That’s how you learn how to pass that quiz! More importantly, that’s how you begin to be good soil to have a rich harvest of God’s Word in your life! Peace and All Good, my friends!

Steven M Schisler

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Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Catholic Deacon, Secular Franciscan, Outdoorsman, Adventurer, Retired/Disabled Electrician/Field Superintendent/Project Manager/Vice-Pres