Page 113 - Built For God Handbook (Annotated and Explained Edition) - The Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching - The New Evangelization - Pope John Paul II

47

This is a sobering chapter, reminding us of our human limitations and
mortality. It calls us to be humble in our attitude and prudent in what we say
and do. Words are important, revealing what is in our minds and hearts.
They have an impact on others, carrying consequences for good or for ill.

One of the greatest gifts God has given us is our free will. We can be willing
and cooperate with the Holy Spirit, revealing God’s will for us, or unwilling
and stubborn, insisting on doing our own will, leading us inevitably into
trouble. The saying, “We are not punished for our defects, we are punished
by them,” is relevant here.

In Palestine, the shepherd leads his or her flock. The sheep will naturally
follow the lead sheep, and the goats will naturally follow the lead goat. What
we choose in this life is what we will be familiar with and choose in the next.
In a sense, the way we do anything is the way we do everything. Having
faith in God’s unconditional love for us and humbly choosing to do God’s
will, is the key to living well.

This chapter can be summed up by the following brief verse:

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become attitudes.
Watch your attitudes; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

b
c
a Proverbs 10:19; Proverbs 17:27-28; Genesis 1:1-2; Galatians 6:7-10;
Galatians 5:22-26; Mark 4:39-41; Matthew 14:27-31.
d