Alexander Pope, a prominent British poet of the 18th Century, penned these oft-quoted words: “Order is heaven’s first law.” (from An Essay on Man) Pope and many others of his day, believed we lived in a highly ordered and structured universe created by God “Himself.” They felt this “divine order” should serve as the guiding principle for our intellectual, spiritual, and physical lives. They said, “Just look at how all the planets circle the sun in an orderly way and how the four seasons follow one another in order…. And what are the 10 Commandments if not a list of ten ways to maintain order among disorderly human beings?”
But did Jesus teach the primacy of order? Did he himself live a highly ordered life? To answer those questions, let’s look at the gospels.
Jesus’ life did not begin in a very orderly way. His very coming caused considerable “disorder.” It began with a young woman saying “yes” to God’s extra-ordinary request. Jesus’ life continued in Mary’s womb because of Joseph’s decision to marry Mary and raise her child as his own. Then we have the disruptive trip to Bethlehem, Jesus’ birth in a stable, the flight into Egypt, and, at age 12, Jesus is lost in the city of Jerusalem. It seems to me, Jesus’ early life is marked by considerable disorder.
And once Jesus begins his public ministry, the Gospels show him coming and going, and going and coming, often in a seemingly haphazard way. He has a very flexible schedule, allowing all kinds of people to come to him at will: ten lepers begging for a cure, a blind man who keeps shouting to get his attention, the Scribes and Pharisees who are always trying to trick him, and Nicodemus who comes at night. Notice Jesus didn’t say to him, “Nick, come during regular office hours!”
Jesus often acts spontaneously. He seems comfortable with interruptions. For example, Jairus interrupts him with an urgent request, “My little girl is dying. Please come!” Jesus drops everything and goes with Jairus. But on his way to Jairus’ house, there’s another interruption. A poor woman who has been hemorrhaging for12 years, secretly touches his cloak and is instantly cured. Then Jesus wastes time to stop and talk with her, praising her for her great faith.
The apostles on the other hand, are concerned about order. They argue among themselves who is the “greatest,” that is, who is at the top of their “pecking order.” And they are always trying to establish more order in Jesus’ ministry. They try to shoo away the little children. (Children and strict order seldom coexist!) They are shocked to see Jesus conversing at a well with a Samaritan woman. In their view of the proper social order, this woman has two strikes against her: Samaritan and woman! And later, when Jesus talks of his passion and death (the dissolution of all order!), his disciples try to talk him out of it.
On several occasions Jesus speaks out against allowing order to usurp the place of other more important values–most notably love. He openly cures (does loving work) on the Sabbath. He allows lepers to approach him. He praises “enemies” like the Roman centurion, and he makes a Samaritan a hero in one of his parables. He speaks kindly and gently to a “lady of the night.” He lamblasts the Pharisees for their idolization of order, shown by their rigid adherence to religious rituals and laws. Finally, Jesus becomes a victim of order. He is put to death primarily because he is considered a threat to the established order–both political and ecclesiastic.
Yet order is important. I would never be able to write a weekly blog if I didn’t have some level of order in my life! But extreme order can be a tool of the Evil Spirit. I remember my scripture professor warning us, “All the trains ran on time in ancient Egypt.” He was describing the extreme order in Egypt, where everyone, including the Hebrew slave population, knew “their place” in a strict social order maintained by fear, intimidation, brutality, and death. Closer to our time, is 20th Century Nazi Germany which, in 1945, had 23 main concentration camps with over 1,000 “satellite camps” and forced-labor facilities all over Germany and its conquered territories. This “vast sprawling system of imprisonment and extermination” is a horrific example of order gone diabolically wrong.
Conclusion:
What does this have to do with us and our spiritual lives? First, order definitely has a place in our lives–including our spiritual lives. We need structures to insure time for vital values such as prayer, worship, family, friends, work, service, and rest and leisure. But in the name of good order, we must never sacrifice more important values like compassion, respect, justice, freedom, and joy. For, through both word and example, Jesus shows respect for order. He was basically a good Jew, an observer of the law and ritual. At the same time, he makes it very clear: heaven and earth’s first law is not order, it is love. Always love. Above all love.
For reflection:
On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 meaning “very little order” and 10 meaning “very much order,” how would you describe your current life in general?
Jot down 3-5 priorities in your life. Then reflect on how much time and “funds” you devote to these priorities. Any conclusions?
How comfortable are you with interruptions? Have you ever had a major interruption in your “ordered life” that turned out to be “a blessing in disguise”?
P.S: To Lauren S-C … You emailed Sister Maresa last week about one of her paintings. She tried to respond to you but the email bounced back. Please email her again. She’s eager to respond to your request.
I felt I had to choose for today’s video, the ancient song, “Ubi Caritas, Deus ibi est.” (“Where there is love, there is God.”) The only question I had, which version to choose? Here is a beautiful choral version by Dan Forrest. The moving water in the background enhances the meditative mood of this simple prayer.
I encourage you to jot down a comment below. We all love hearing from our readers.
31 Responses
All I can say is wow!!! This is just what I needed. My mom died in October her birthday was on Friday this weekend being mother’s day and her birthday was hard. This gave me such peace. Thank you.
Catherine, My deepest sympathy to you as you mourn your mother’s death… My mother passed away in Feb. 2006 and I still miss her terribly. But how lucky we both are to have experienced the love of individuals who mean soooo much to us!. What a blessing our mothers were and still are for us… I thank God for allowing this little reflection to give you “peace.” Your comment was a special gift for me today. Thank you, thank you!
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
Every time I type your name, Melannie, the Google spellcheckers “order” me to change it! But I say, “Never!”
I would say I’m about a five when it comes to the importance of order in my life. As a father of three — especially when they were little — interruptions to the “daily plan” were a way of life. Once, while I was about to leave for work, my son Brian — now thirty-eight, but then four — grabbed my leg and begged me not to go. I explained I kind of had to. He then rushed upstairs and came down with two of his Ninja Turtles. He said they would protect me. I took them, and they remained on my classroom desk the whole day!
Early in my teaching career, I was all about maintaining order in the classroom — which is a good thing! But as my career went along, I soon realized I needed a plan “B” (and sometimes C and D and E!) for every lesson. I had to adjust, change, and adapt. And what does Jesus say about the Holy Spirit? He likens her to wind — a mysterious wind that sweeps into our lives when she will and where she will!
John, As usual, your comment is very insightful. I loved the little story of Brian and his experience of “separation anxiety.” You handled it well–but so did he! He was willing to “separate himself” from those turtles so that they would protect YOU!… And there’s nothing like being in a classroom filled with kids to teach the teacher how to balance order with the “winds” that arise in the classroom–winds which may be the Holy Spirit coaxing us to adapt or even scrap our carefully prepared lesson plan for the day! Wise words, John… Melannie
Good morning Melannie and all,
I would say I’m about a 6. I do like order and routine, but I have learned that flexibility is very important! When my 4 kids were young that was crucial to surviving work, school, and all of the activities. I always thought when I retired I would have boundless time to do whatever I wanted, but now a year in I’m finding a daily routine is still needed to guarantee that I have prayer time and quiet to help me be a good grandmother and all that is requiring. Thanks again for a helpful Monday morning reflection.
Kathy, I suspect anyone who has raised four children has had to learn the art of flexiblity. You make a good point that even so-called “retirement” needs a certain amount of “routine” or structure…I appreciated your words that your prayer time and quiet directly help you “to be a good grandmother.” Thank you for your sharing today! Melannie
Sr Melannie,
Thank you for blog each week. I look forward to it every Monday. As I have been aging my “ordered life number” has increased. I seem to need more structure now, but I do welcome interruptions. A major interruption, which was a blessing in disguise, came in 2020. My daughter and her family were set to move to Greece. Having sold their house and not being able to move to Greece because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her husband and our two little grandsons spent the next five months living with us. Being able to spend so much time with them in itself was a blessing, but while they were here with us I ended up in the hospital seriously ill for almost a month. I was so grateful my husband was not alone for that time and when I came home from the hospital my wonderful daughter took care of me as I slowly recovered. I don’t know what I would have done without her. Divine intervention at its best. God is good.
Stephanie, I appreciated your example of how even Covid gave you a special blessing: those five months living with your daughter and her family. And how she was such good company for your husband and then a good caregiver for you during your recovery. Thanks for sharing that beautiful story with us! Melannie
Thank You!
SMF
Youre’ most welcome, Mary Fran… Melannie
Ohhh Sister, you are so special, to be able to put words together that mean so much to us. I’m just on fire waiting for your next “homily”…. God really blessed you!!! And the work you put into finding just the perfect video.
Many blessings to you.
Sue, Thank you for your enthusiastic response… God bless you! Melannie
When I saw the version of *Ubi Caritas* was seven minutes long, I nearly yielded to my reaction to skip it. I thought I didn’t have seven minutes., but I’m glad I gave it all seven. Very beautiful, serene and stirring.
As for my number, I am frustrated that I am not better organized. I have a feeling like the old zen joke. The man is running to escape a tiger chasing him, and as he jumps off a cliff to safety, he instinctively reaches for a wild strawberry. I let many things go until I’m either late or nearly so. I have income tax paperwork still on my kitchen table in May. (And more . . . .) So my number is likely 3 or lower. I do respect order, though, in past years having completed two graduate degrees over a number of years. (“How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”) I’ve been retired a long time. My wife, now in heaven, gave me a plaque I see on my desk: “SOME DAY I’LL GET ORGANIZED.” The Holy Spirit and my guardian angel don’t have their hands full with me. Flexibility is good, isn’t it? I like Robert Frost’s line about freedom: It’s not playing tennis without a net, it’s running easy in harness. Peace!
George, I confess, when I saw the music video was seven minutes long, I almost didn’t pick it. But now I’m glad I did… I love your honesty and humor. Your one-liners are great too. I’m familiar with Robert Frost’s criticism of writing in free verse (“playing tennis without a net.”) But the last line about freedom (“running easy in harness”) is new to me. Hmmmm… I have to ponder that one… Thanks again for writing, George! Melannie
Thanks Sista Mel,
This blog post allowed my creative juicies to come forward.
When in my PTSD recovery we spoke of order it was VS. chaos. The idea was chaos was orchestrated by the minions of evil. Order in our days was the plan of Our Lord. And yet we humans are almost always in some stage of messiness. Raising 4 children in love and with love is how Sheila D and I did it. Lots of chaos early on, plenty of mistakes over the years. Learned early that we get rest by knowing deeply that God created each parent and child in His ordered image.
Blessings all around. Now let’s keep praying ‼️
Bert, I’m glad this reflection called forth your “creative juices.”… It’s interesting that your PTSD recovery looked at order as “VS chaos.” I agree with your words: “yet we humans are almost always in some stage of messiness.”… Your raising of 4 children with Sheila “in love and with love” enabled you to embrace a certain amount of “messiness” with your loving. Thanks for sharing the wisdom of your personal experience with us! Melannie
Thank you Sister and everyone who shared. A few thoughts:
1 Fr. Richard Rohr talks about the spiritual journey through the stages of Order, Disorder, and Reorder.
This is a link that summarizes this spiritual process. I found it helpful:
https://spiritofeq.com/2025/11/04/richard-rohrs-order-disorder-and-then-reorder/
2 When I awake and wistfully look forward to an ordered day, I reflect on this poem:
The Guest House
This being human is like a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house, empty it of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes. because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. – Rumi
3 In terms of interruption I am reminded of a reflection on the Fifth Station of the Cross:
When He could no longer bear the weight of the cross alone, the legionnaires interrupted Simon’s day and forced him to give Jesus aid.
In this moment, Simone was blessed with the grace of interruption. So too, I must be open to the interruptions in my daily life and, in this way, realize that like Simone I may be helping someone carry their cross.
Lord, make me realize that every time my day is interrupted to wipe a dish, pick up an object off the floor, assist a child in some small task, or give another preference in traffic or the store; each time I feed the hungry, clothe the naked, teach the ignorant, speak a kind word of encouragement or lend my hand in any way, it matters not to whom, my name is Simon and the interruptions and kindnesses I extend to them, I humbly give to
Thank you for your reflection – our church windows are the Stations with Theme of Hand of God… the hand is small and not noticeable until a parishioner studied it and gave me a PP on the windows.
It is remarkable the Simon’s hand is huge – yes Helping Hand make a difference. Thank you and Sr. Melanie
Mike, Your comment is filled with enrichment. First, thank you for the link to Richard Rohr, a fine “spiritual writer” of our times. And the poem by Rumi is lovely! It reminds me of the great virtue of “hospitality” which essentially means “welcoming life.” Everyone/everything that enters our lives has something to teach us… And your reflection on Simon of Cyrene is exceptionally good. I like the specific examples of interruptions you give at the end (before you were cut off in mid-sentence…) Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, Mike! Melannie
Another outstanding post, Sr Melannie to reorganize my thinking. One thing that struck me is seeing how the change in the lives of priest that joyfully move into retirement from being a parish administrator. Their lives are ordered around the sacraments, bestowing the God’s Love & Grace, without all the other responsibilities.
Congratulations on your Cavs winning two at home. They have some exceptional role players that are fun to watch. Giddy up & God Bless!
Barry, You give the good example of how some priests move joyfully into retirement where their lives are “ordered” around the sacraments completely without all the other administative responsibiities… And yes, our Cavaliers managed to take 2 from those Pistons in the playoffs. The test will be to win at least one game in Detroit. For me, the Cavs’ games are too tense… But I’m happy when they win! Thanks, Barry! Melannie
Thank you for another inspirational blog. I am a creature of order ranging from 5 to 7 usually but don’t get too upset by interruptions which often times comes with grace bestowed.
I like to start my day with prayer & meditation but some days, like yesterday didn’t follow the pattern so missed reading your blog until today.
Loved everyone’s responses and the beautiful video.
After 30 plus years of work requiring structure and order my years of retirement have taught me to be grateful for disorder too. Jesus set a good example.
Loretta, It seems after 30 plus years of structured working, you have grown nicely into retirement with a little more “disorder,” Yes, in both regards, “Jesus set a good example.” Thanks for enriching my blog with your good comments, Loretta! “Cuz,” Melannie
Order is helpful in our lives but it doesn’t have to rule out flexibility and spontaneity. My goal is to live in the moment and be open to the possibility for grace to enter in, sometimes in unexpected ways. It takes daily effort to see the workings of God in the people and circumstances we encounter.
Your blog gives us pause to ponder and reflect.
Thank you Sr. Melanie!
Thank you that is beautiful. I am new here and searching for tranquility in a lack of order – I try to be as ordered as possible but caring for several people need constant flexibility and of course most importantly Christ’s strength and love . Thank you again
Melannie, thank you so much for your message. I have reached out again to Sr. Maresa with a different email.
WOW you hit the nail on its head for me!!! I would say I’m an 8 if not a 10!!! And when there is a disruption in my ORDER, I don’t handle it well!!! Thank you for showing me a way to live ORDER but not be controlled by it. As all know its not easy to change, but I want to work on that change. When looking at my priorities the ones that should be at the top were near bottom and the least important were on the top!!!! Thank you Sr. Melannie and all that shared. It gives me much to think about as I reorder my Priorities. God Bless and Prayers.
Sr.Melanie! Thank you for this blog! My life is out of order on many levels today and your post helps! I have arthritis in my neck and the pain kept me awake often during the night.
My response was anger which made it worse…your blog helped me gain perspective and the song calmed me to accept the pain and it is not gone but I’m better anyway
Sr. Melanie,
This is just what I needed to help my adult children who are struggling spiritually in different ways.
First is my 48yr old son, who to escape a challenging, stifling marriage, has turned to fanatical, extreme Catholicism! He is losing sight of Jesus & focusing on strict interpretations of the religion over the guidance of Jesus’ examples & lessons in the gospels. This blog may be what he needs to “lighten up”, He is succumbing to this radicalism to the point where he is becoming judgmental.
My 51 yr old daughter has a good relationship with God but questions some of the tenets of Catholicism. Not a serious issue, but I can pray she can be more open to seeing the relationship and meaning of Jesus’ examples and messages for how to live a Christian life.
Weekly, my children i discuss books on faith, stewardship, & fellowship. Our first book, “Opening the Heart: Reflections, Practices and Prayers to Guide Us toward Beauty and Gratitude” was the beginning of embarking on this faith journey together, our second book, “Learning Contentment” by Marcus Grodi, has given rise to conversations where the author’s viewpoint on some topics are fanning the flames for all of us to find “contentment” and faith in a practical Christian way of life that is focused on service, self efficacy, & eyes on the prize: JESUS & seeking contentment & guidance through prayer & trust in Him to help us be the best version of ourselves as we navigate challenging, personal issues in our lives.
Please pray for me & my children that this faith journey will bring about peace & insight into how to live our life!
Thank you!
Dear Carol, I will certainly pray for you and your adult children. I found it interesting that you and your children discuss books on faith weekly. It seems the three of you have maintained the channels of open communication with each other. That’s a good sign… I’m sure the readers of this blog will also include you in their prayers. Thank you for writing, Carol. Melannie
Thank you so much for responding! I appreciate you!