Catholic Fundamentalism frequently speaks of opposites. There is God and His evil counterpart. Saints are opposed by sinners. Wheat is polluted by weeds.
What is the ultimate separation of peoples? There are many races. Catholic Fundamentalism reduces all the human races to two. Out of all the nationalities, clans, and tribes, the Psalm tells us how He has divided humanity into two races. Catholic Fundamentalism bases that division on the Psalm that is in Today’s Reading:
Ps 24: 5-6
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see Your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for Him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see Your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for Him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see Your face.
The Psalmist has told us that there are two kinds of people. The Psalms divides us into races that are far different than the black, white, yellow, and red races we humans see from the color of light that different skins reflect.
One race of people is described: “Such is the race that seeks for Him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob”. Those of us who spend our days trying to grow closer to God are in that race of humans. We strive to be “The people that longs to see Your face.”
The other race? They are the race that does not seek Him. They are the race that does not seek the face of the God of Jacob.
If one does not seek the face of God, one thinks something else is more important. Such a person is automatically an idol worshiper. What are the two kinds of people? What are the two races into which we are divided? One race worships God. Humanity’s other race worships idols. Is it an inhuman race that opposes we in the human race?
Sometimes, the two races are found in the same family, school, or workplace. Often, the race of those who seek the Face of God is intermingled with the race of idol worshipers. Identical twins may be of different races. The races that are black, white, yellow, or red do not change. This separation of those who love God from those who do not is the most important of racial divisions, and it can change. Those who worship idols can change their race, rising to want closeness with God. On the other hand, some in the race of believers sink back into sin and are lost.
Luke, 17:34-35 tells us one thing that Jesus said about the final separation of the two races: “I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”
At the end, if we have any sense at all, we want to be included in the race of whom it may be said, “Lord, this is the people that longs to see Your face.” Everyone reading this has time to be numbered among the race God favors. We have but to remove what stands between us and God. Every day for the rest of our lives. Few things are more enjoyable.
