Think of someone you find it difficult to like. Think of a person who annoys you, makes you feel uncomfortable, who lives totally differently from you. Does that person dress the way you think they should? Is he clean? Shaven? Does he have tattoos? Does she dress modestly? Does she reek of perfume? Does she walk and talk as ladies are supposed to? Are these the reasons why you find it difficult to like them?
Why is it that we want people to be as we picture that they should be? Is that really how love works? I will love you, but you must fit into my expectations. I will help you, but you must look like you really want my help. Everything must be in its proper place, before we can start to show our affection, and our concern for these individuals. It sounds more like a duty that we grudgingly give, than a true concern for what the person needs at that time. If it is a duty and not a concern, then we have missed the meaning of Christianity.
If Jesus felt that way before taking up His cross, I wonder which one of us would still be looking for salvation. I dare say that all of us would have been left behind. Why is it that we see what is wrong with others, but don’t view ourselves in the same way, with the same scrutiny? We make allowances for ourselves. Or, more accurately, we don’t even see the imperfections that flow from us. This is not to tear us down, but rather to help us realize that all of us, every person who lives, struggle with our own problems. We pray that we can grow in love to reduce our own frailties. This is a huge enough task, so much so, that criticizing others is a waste of time.
Jesus has told us again and again, “I am the Way…” That is not just poetry. He is telling us simply that if we want to live our lives as God wishes, then we must be like Jesus… be Jesus. Jesus didn’t say to the beggar, I would make you clean inside, but first go wash yourself. He didn’t tell the adulterous woman that he couldn’t help her until she helped herself. The lepers, well they just wouldn’t stand a chance if Jesus felt as we do.
We cannot continue to put people in boxes. We cannot continue to categorize people, silently putting them into a niche we have set aside for them. If they don’t fit, well just drop them into the catch all bag of “unimportant stuff.” The next person you see is the same as you, struggling, trying to cope, fighting their own niche placing exercises, (for all you know, maybe you just fell into someone else’s niche).
The only way that we can be the person that God is looking to find in us, is by following the way of Jesus. People are not obstacles, are not annoyances, and definitely are not below us. We have all flowed from God’s goodness. Just as the trees and flowers, the sunlight, the birds in the air, all creation (that includes us) flow from God’s beauty. We are not here to criticize, to step on people so that we can get ahead, to take advantage of people. No, we are here to give honor and glory back to God. We do that in a myriad of ways. But probably the most important way is to see the beauty of God in all of creation (others as well as ourselves). It is then and only then, that the way of Jesus becomes a meaningful, true option for us.
Archive for September, 2011
On my way over to the hospital today, I felt a complete emptiness inside. This void inside seemed so great, I truly wondered what I was doing going to talk to hospital patients. How could I speak to them of Christ’s love? How could I let them know of the joy that fills us when He embraces us? I felt as joyous and as loving as the street signs I was passing. I truly questioned whether it was right for me to go there, today. Out of nowhere, a gentle thought came across my mind. “It isn’t about YOU”. Talk about being struck between the eyes. It doesn’t matter what I feel; what I think; what I want. Serving our Lord and God, means we just step out of the way and let Him work through us.
At Mass, today, a lot was said about being in the presence of God. I tried picturing being there in God’s presence. I definitely could not see myself high-fiving God, or even asking Him how He was today. I could only picture myself standing, kneeling, hovering in the back, and not daring to raise my eyes. I believe the two thoughts are strikingly similar. It’s not about us…and… how we act when we find ourselves in the presence of God,
If we blend those two thoughts together, a singular thought jumps out at us. When in the presence of God, we must be struck with our own puniness. How insignificant we, probably, must feel in the presence of the Almighty. Our actions at that time, whatever they are, surely must be filled with love, and awe. We probably desire to do perfectly, everything we can. This desire for perfection does not stem from our unworthiness, but rather, anything short of perfection would be out of place. And so we strive, at that moment, to be the person that God has envisioned us being, throughout all eternity.
This leads us back to the original thought. IT’s NOT ABOUT US. How does God envision us? What are His expectations? Does He expect us to be the chairman of the board? Does He think of us as the leaders, who are to make sense out of this world? Will He be upset, if we don’t reach the heights that we think we must? Just what does God want from us? What does He want us to achieve?
Throughout all of creation, God knew that He would be sending His Son. He knew that an example of how to live our lives would be required. Mankind may have intelligence, but we can also let our baser instincts cloud that intelligence. And so, in time, He sends Jesus to be the example, to show us how to live, how to act, how to love one another. To Thomas’ question, “Lord, how can we know the way?” Jesus tells him, and us, the plan to follow, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by me”.-1 Nothing that we do, or say, or feel can add anything more to what Jesus has already given us. The path, the plan, is simple…Follow Jesus. He has demonstrated how we are to treat one another. He has, without a doubt, given His all for mankind. Through our inter-connection with each other, we know and experience the goodness and love that is Jesus. We know the way our lives must go.
The question is there for each of us, when we get caught up in ourselves. What shall I say? What should I do? What is expected of me? Why do I feel so empty? Why do these things keep happening to me? These questions arise from where we stand, in front of a mirror, admiring ourselves, only to realize that we are greatly, woefully lacking. Or, do we stand in front of God, no longer contemplating ourselves, but in awe of His beauty and love, striving for a perfection of which, anything less would be out of place. Where we stand does make a difference. Our attitude on ourselves, each other, and our world is vastly affected. And so, it is of paramount importance to us, that we reflect on the implications of what our answer means, when we ask, “Where do I stand”?
-1 John 14,6
Abraham Lincoln
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
TheSteppingStones has been and will always be a place for religious conversations, thoughts and practices. Our Catholic Christian beliefs would be meaningless, however, if they do not spill over into our daily life and affect our struggles and our joys. While living in a society that seeks the betterment of ALL, we must focus on the struggles of ALL as part of our daily life. When the “I”, and the “ME” take precedence over the “ALL”, we have anarchy, not democracy. In the spirit of our Catholic Christian beliefs we must be aware of and support anything that will truly help ALL of our citizens.
Can you picture in your mind any of the above presidents advocating the passage of a new law, or referendum based solely upon party lines? Or, pushing for something, so that they would stand a better chance of being re-elected? The adherence to party lines, regardless of benefit to the common good, places our government totally out of control. The common good is the ONLY reason for passage of any bill, referendum, tax or law. The benefits to ALL must be our priority and the priorities of our elected officials.
Many wrongs have been enacted over the 200 plus years of our history, by members of ALL parties. To point to any one party is to view our problems through rose colored glasses. When elected officials cast their votes because they will profit, either financially, or politically, or socially they are no longer serving the needs of the people, but themselves. It is not the common good that they are striving to protect, but their own common good.
It does not end there, however. If we, the voters, vote for issues that will protect only our finances and not the welfare of others as well, are we not just as guilty? If we vote to ensure that public welfare will continue to grow, so that we don’t have to work, are we not just as culpable? The almighty dollar has prostituted our thoughts, and our reasoning. Corporations send jobs overseas, so that their bottom line will prosper. The America that protects these businesses, – the America that struggles to find jobs, – the America that wonders about its next meal … well that America is of no concern to these moguls.
Wake up, America! This is not just rhetoric. Our nation is falling down the economic, political, and moral ladder. Yet, we still regard ourselves as a wealthy nation, a learned and concerned nation. Hear that? What you hear are all the other nations snickering at us. The mighty has fallen. We have only ourselves to blame. We don’t make factories. We don’t make jobs. We don’t make products. We are not independent, but dependent on others. We do, however, make billionaires and poverty. We do know how to protect self interests, and special interests, though. This is not a reproach against any one leader. It is a censure on the path our society has taken and continues to take, the path of ME! If it benefits me then it is ok, then it is good.
Our nation was founded on working with one another, helping one another, striving to achieve the unattainable. We knew our limitations and dedicated our nation to God. Yes, God. The same Being that we now ban from our schools. We strip Him out of our libraries. Who needs God? We have made OURSELVES god (or so we think). We don’t need to believe in a Creator of ALL. Why would we??????? We have ME!
I don’t normally ask you to pass blogs or emails along. But, if this was not just rhetoric to you, if you feel deep inside that it might be touching a buried truth within you and others, please, please pass this on to your email friends. Let’s storm the minds and hearts of our nation. Let’s wake up our leaders. Let’s remind ourselves that this nation is not here to take care of US. We are here to take care of each other in the U.S.
TheSteppingStones
