When we are young, it is in our nature to question everything. We chafe under the perceived limits, “chains” and demands of authority and we test the boundries of every rule. With youthful arrogance we think that we know better than our elders what is best for us. We do not want to be limited by anyone, in any way. We want the freedom to do what we want to do, when we want to do it—without consequences, of course.

Eventually, if they are lucky, or more importantly, by the grace of God, they begin to learn from their experiences, they begin to awaken to the reality that limitless freedom without responsibility is an illusion. They begin to see the wisdom of self-discipline, of delayed gratification, and even self-sacrifice. Indeed, as their consciences begin to be more fully formed, they begin to recognize how unhappy they are as a result of being undisciplined, self-centered, and how much more content they are when they act responsibly. They begin to see that self-control, willing submission to reasonable and just limits, and selflessness (behaviors consistent with the law of the Lord), are the real sources of happiness in our lives. 

"Blessed the man who follows not
The counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
Nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the Lord
And meditates on it day and night."

David is speaking here of the “delight” that comes from following the law of the Lord. As we learn His law, and form our consciences in accord with it; as we begin to follow it, and meditate on it every day, we begin to experience the happiness that our hearts so deeply and naturally desire. “You move us to delight in praising you; for you have formed us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in you,” (St. Augustine).

When we act in accord with God’s law, we are acting in agreement with God, who is the source and goal of all beatitude. As parents, we must teach our children the laws of the Lord. We do this not just by word, but more importantly, by deed, by living them out in our daily lives, so that our children can see our joy in them. We must teach them how to pray, how to ask for forgiveness and to give it, how to respond to those who are suffering when we see them by living these virtues of prayer, forgiveness and self-sacrifice ourselves. What does the Psalm say then will happen to us when we follow (and teach) the law of the Lord?

"He is like a tree
Planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
And whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does prospers."

Sadly, there are far too many who act out of undisciplined and selfish desires, whose egos rebel against any perceived limitation to their presumed “freedoms.” This is as true today as it was when the psalmist wrote this prayerful psalm. And it is also true that nine times out of ten, the results of such behavior are the opposite of what they intended or desired. Indeed, because they act out of an unrestrained ego and out of selfish, undisciplined desires, more often than not, their actions are unjust and damaging to others. The psalmist reveals the consequences of such behavior as well when he writes: 

"Not so the wicked, not so;
They are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the Lord watches over the way of the just
But the way of the wicked vanishes.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous."

We do not want to “vanish” as a result of the foolishness of pride, or from a false sense of freedom. We want to live! We want to live in the true freedom that comes from obedience to the laws of the Lord. That is the paradox of faith in a nutshell. Ultimately, to see and to willingly submit to His will and live in accord with it is the one true path to the delight we so passionately seek. Thanks be to God.
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