What is Proper?

Which is more important, that you do what is proper, or that you do what is comfortable? Clearly, the society that we live in today would affirm the latter. It is true that most Catholics would answer the former, but with the current state of the Church throughout these USA, I wonder if that is accurate.

Ask yourself this question: have you ever intentionally chosen something more uncomfortable for your sanctification? Did you ever choose the uncomfortable chair? Did you ever leave the rock in your shoe? Did you ever purposefully pick the food you disliked? We do not usually do these things, because by nature we want that which gives us comfort; and that is not a bad thing--usually.

If we are forced to choose between that which gives us comfort and what is right, how will we respond? Consider clothing: American society is drenched with the concept of clothing must be comfortable (even if it is immoral). How many clothing choices do you make based on what is proper and modest? I hope it is all of them. Most people today are willing to wear things that are completely immodest (even to church!) because it is "comfortable".

There is not one place in Scripture that tells us personal comfort takes priority over what is good and right. Yes, we are supposed to seek spiritual comfort, but that is not the same thing as what we are speaking of here. Spiritual comfort is that encouragement that comes from the Lord that helps us to see that we are loved by Him and on the path to salvation. It is quite different from seeking a life of ease and luxury.

The biggest problem for us today is learning what actually is proper. In general Catholics understand what is righteous and what is sinful; God has written it on our hearts and the Holy Ghost enlightens us to it. Yet, what is proper is not always clear because it is a matter of wisdom. Once again, I encourage you to read Proverbs, Sirach, and Wisdom of Solomon. Those books speak often of what is good and proper; in many situations.

Once when I was little, I heard someone tell another person that what he was doing was not proper. His response was: "Who's to say what's proper? Are you my judge?" No we are not one another's judges, but God is the One Who says what is proper, and we are to learn what it is, commit ourselves to it as a priority in life, and then reap the great blessings that come with obedience to our Lord.