I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh.
The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not.
For I do not do the good I want,
but I do the evil I do not want.
Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it,
but sin that dwells in me.
So, then, I discover the principle
that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.
For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self,
but I see in my members another principle
at war with the law of my mind,
taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Miserable one that I am!
Who will deliver me from this mortal body?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Romans 7:18-25a
Today's passage from Romans by the Apostle Paul could be likened to a sailor who's lost at sea, even when he knows where the shore is. Just as we appreciate Jimmy Buffett's music for its themes of escapism and the complexities of human desire, Paul's letter speaks to the complicated, sometimes contradictory nature of human behavior. The desire to escape to "Margaritaville" might be strong, but one must also navigate the "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" that life inevitably brings.
In Catholic theology, the term "concupiscence" refers to the inclination to sin that is a consequence of Original Sin. Concupiscence itself is not considered a sin, but it makes individuals more susceptible to sin. It's the proverbial "wind" that pushes the "sailboat" of human nature into potentially treacherous waters. This concept aligns closely with the Apostle Paul's reflection on the struggle against sin in Romans.
Concupiscence covers a range of desires that are not aligned with divine law, whether those are desires for physical pleasures, material goods, or forms of emotional or social validation that lead one away from a virtuous life. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, concupiscence "stems from the disobedience of the first sin" and "unsettles man’s moral faculties" (CCC 418). It acts as a sort of "moral gravity" pulling one away from virtue and toward selfish or destructive behaviors.
To bring this into a Parrothead perspective, one might see concupiscence as that part of us that's always looking for the next "party," sometimes at the expense of our better judgment. It's what can turn "Margaritaville" from a fun escape into a place of excess and potential moral hazard. Like a catchy tune, the allure is undeniable, but without moderation, it can lead us astray. Paul's struggle, his dual desire to do good while finding himself doing the opposite, echoes in many of Jimmy Buffett's songs, where characters often find themselves in situations their better judgment would have avoided. And isn't that a universal theme, the tension between our better angels and our more indulgent, sometimes self-destructive tendencies?
Additionally, the concept of Original Sin aligns well with Paul’s lament about the inherent sinful nature in humans. Just as every Parrothead knows that the paradise of "Margaritaville" has its pitfalls ("blew out my flip flop, stepped on a pop top"), Catholics acknowledge that humanity's perfect state was disrupted by the sin of Adam and Eve, creating a predilection toward sin. Confession and penance in are as ways to acknowledge these lapses and try to set the ship back on course.
Concupiscence covers a range of desires that are not aligned with divine law, whether those are desires for physical pleasures, material goods, or forms of emotional or social validation that lead one away from a virtuous life. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, concupiscence "stems from the disobedience of the first sin" and "unsettles man’s moral faculties" (CCC 418). It acts as a sort of "moral gravity" pulling one away from virtue and toward selfish or destructive behaviors.
To bring this into a Parrothead perspective, one might see concupiscence as that part of us that's always looking for the next "party," sometimes at the expense of our better judgment. It's what can turn "Margaritaville" from a fun escape into a place of excess and potential moral hazard. Like a catchy tune, the allure is undeniable, but without moderation, it can lead us astray. Paul's struggle, his dual desire to do good while finding himself doing the opposite, echoes in many of Jimmy Buffett's songs, where characters often find themselves in situations their better judgment would have avoided. And isn't that a universal theme, the tension between our better angels and our more indulgent, sometimes self-destructive tendencies?
Additionally, the concept of Original Sin aligns well with Paul’s lament about the inherent sinful nature in humans. Just as every Parrothead knows that the paradise of "Margaritaville" has its pitfalls ("blew out my flip flop, stepped on a pop top"), Catholics acknowledge that humanity's perfect state was disrupted by the sin of Adam and Eve, creating a predilection toward sin. Confession and penance in are as ways to acknowledge these lapses and try to set the ship back on course.
The Sacraments, particularly Baptism and Reconciliation (Confession), as well as the practice of prayer and virtuous living, are ways to combat concupiscence. They act as the "compass and map," so to speak, helping the faithful to navigate the complexities of life's moral seascape. While concupiscence remains a lifelong challenge, the grace conferred through these sacraments strengthens the will against temptation.
While concupiscence and Original Sin are key factors in understanding why people sin. They serve as this inherent tendency or inclination to deviate from a virtuous path, making the struggle against sin an enduring endeavor. Like the sailor who must be ever vigilant against the shifting winds and currents, so too must individuals be aware of the pull of concupiscence in their moral lives. Paul's ultimate cry for deliverance through Jesus Christ parallels the Catholic focus on redemption and salvation through Christ's sacrifice. Just as we found solace, community, and even a kind of redemption in the shared joy of a Buffett concert or in the simple pleasures celebrated in his songs, us Catholics find our ultimate solace in the promise of redemption through Jesus Christ.
While concupiscence and Original Sin are key factors in understanding why people sin. They serve as this inherent tendency or inclination to deviate from a virtuous path, making the struggle against sin an enduring endeavor. Like the sailor who must be ever vigilant against the shifting winds and currents, so too must individuals be aware of the pull of concupiscence in their moral lives. Paul's ultimate cry for deliverance through Jesus Christ parallels the Catholic focus on redemption and salvation through Christ's sacrifice. Just as we found solace, community, and even a kind of redemption in the shared joy of a Buffett concert or in the simple pleasures celebrated in his songs, us Catholics find our ultimate solace in the promise of redemption through Jesus Christ.
So, whether you're navigating the "Sea of Heartbreak" or trying to avoid being a "pirate looking at forty," the complexities of life, complete with its temptations and failings, are something that both Paul and Parrotheads sing about. The important part is the hope and belief that, through grace and perhaps a bit of 'nautical wisdom,' we can find our way back to where we are meant to be.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
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