December 9, 2022

“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.” (Isaiah 35:3)

Here is some delving insight from Cormac McCarthy’s new novel, The Passenger. Make of it what you will.

“When smart people do dumb things it’s usually due to one of two things. The two things are greed and fear. They want something they are not supposed to have or they’ve done something they weren’t supposed to do. In any case, they’ve usually fastened on to a set of beliefs that are supportive of their state of mind but at odds with reality. It has become more important for them to believe than to know.”

That’s a version of confirmation bias, but also shows us how deeply affected we are by our emotional turbulence. We need saving.

“Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.” (Third Sunday of Advent – BCP)