It’s funny how so often a theme pops up in my life that just won’t go away. Since writing this, I’ve stumbled across various quotes related to being a true disciple of Christ, about how it has less to do with judging and more to do with loving. There have been emails, too, from readers who revealed past wounds to me from times when they have felt judged or persecuted.
There was also a heartfelt and courageously honest comment from a reader who wrote:
“I just wanted to chime in and ask for you to pray for many of us that seem overly critical in areas that really don’t have moral absolutes. I am one of them, but I realize that I struggle with it. I know for myself that much of it has it’s roots in my past failures and sins when I was not walking with Christ. The urge to continue to “make-up” for everything wrong I have done is very strong for me. That somehow if I live up to this impossible ideal I will prove to God that I am worthy.”
This made me reexamine my “holier than thou” moments. And I have had many. So often when we attack or criticize it has more to do with our own internal feelings than that of the person we are scrutinizing. We feel insecure about a mothering decision we made, so we put down someone who does things differently than us. We want validation that we are living a life of faith and following God’s will for us so anyone who isn’t mirroring our lifestyle must have gone astray.
Me, myself, and I. The Holy Trinity we spend too much time pandering to.
My mom gave me a gift subscription to Living Faith, and Tuesday’s meditation reminded me to not only keep my eyes on my own work but to make sure my work involves serving others.
Sister Melannie Svoboda writes,
“…serving the Lord means serving others. It doesn’t mean worshiping in a certain way or judging others by their orthodoxy or cocooning ourselves from the world’s messy problems. No, serving God means serving others. It’s as simple – and as challenging as that. Whom shall I serve today?”
Whom shall I serve today?
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A priest offered this bit of wisdom in a homily once: we pick out in others what we don't like about ourselves.
It's been something to meditate on for the last 15 years.
It was too easy for me to judge (never to gossip–it all stays in my head) until I realized how I was being judged by a family member who thought she was doing things better than me. I disagreed. It changed my perspective and helps me to calm those voices in my head which are quick to judge others.
Our pastor, Monsignor, is so gentle with everyone, so complimentary and kind. If I can't remember to ask myself what Jesus would do, I ask myself what Monsignor would do. He would serve until his last breath was gone.
WOW!! Thank you for sharing that quote and the email. I can totally relate to what is being said here. I have been trying for the last 10 years to figure out how to thank God for my so many undeserved blessings; should I cover my head at mass, should I go "skirts only", etc, I am so thick-headed so it has taken many threads such as this one to make me realize what the lovely nun is saying in that quote: I simply
must learn to serve everyone, starting with aforementioned blessings. Thank you for yet another reminder- I am printing this out to put in my kitchen. Evevtually the message will stick, right?????
Many Blessings to you,
Dina
cocooning ourselves from the world's messy problems. that phrase really struck me b/c it's something I'm SO struggling with right now. as in, i want to cocoon :)