One of Jesus' favorite questions is: "What do you want?" (Mk 10:51; Mt 20:21; Jn 5:6) Many times we don't know what we want, and Jesus challenges us to clarify this.

Often we want things which are incompatible. We want to sin and still have a loving relationship with the Lord. We want to "do our own thing" and still be free. We want both selfishness and happiness. If we face reality, we see that these things are incompatible. Therefore, we must decide what we want most and reject the other "wants."

Another problem in deciding what we want is denial. We see this especially with alcoholism and other addictive behavior. But all sin produces some denial. In denial, we will not admit our true needs. This prevents us from wanting these needs fulfilled. For example, if sinners deny their sin, they'll not want forgiveness. If the spiritually blind deny their blindness, they'll not want sight. If the enslaved deny their slavery, they'll not want freedom. We can even deny our denial.

Therefore, we must repent, face reality, and come out of denial. Now, we can answer Jesus' question: "What do you want Me to do for you?"

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 3, 2009

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