THE UNBROKEN WORD

“Face the Music,” “Stop procrastinating,” “Avoid conflict at all costs!” These are a few of the quotes which occupy our minds when we are facing problems. Depending on the seriousness of the problem, and our relationship with those involved we may take a different tack to find a resolution.

All of us at some point in our lives have been responsible for managing others, perhaps nowhere more than in our close or extended family. For myself, I have a tendency to try and have others involved in the solution to a problem, even when they may not want to participate. In business situations the way problems are resolved are determined by the culture of the environment. While the polarization is most evident in the workplace, it is also true for everywhere else.

We can all relate to seeing problems. However, our inner peace is often disturbed or restored based on how we deal with them. Unfortunately, all too often, we either leave them unresolved or take a judgmental approach which often alienates those who are trying to bring back into the fold.

Leaving these issues to fester is rather like putting off symptoms of an illness we know we have to deal with; they rarely fix themselves. While prayer can be a solace and even help us in our “silent suffering,” we also are called to action to try and do something to help resolve the situation. This means talking about the issues, having an open, but Christian mindset when looking for solutions. Asking ourselves what is the “right thing to do,” not just what will satisfy me or the others involved. We need to look no further than the beatitudes to help guide us in these decisions. Almost all situations can be measured against the loving advice of Jesus in those beautiful words, and solutions and answers can be found.

I know at times, it can be painful when you open a wound, examine a problem, deal with the difficulties; however, avoidance almost always leads to a worse outcome. So even if we have to cause some hurt or raise some painful issue when it comes to solving problems, we are called to take action. Personally, this always causes some internal wounding, knowing you have disturbed someone to help bring them to a realization which may resolve the issue.

The pain which we endure by taking action is a price we all have to pay when we are operating as Christians with the desire to do this will from the heart. I know this pain personally, as I am sure you have felt it yourself.

When I feel this pain, I take a look at the crucifix and see what love expressed really looks like. And the love in His pain becomes mine.

THE UNBROKEN WORD

Our nation has a wonderful tradition of freedom. There are few examples of countries who have offered themselves up to maintain the freedom of others. Perhaps the most essential expression of the greatest love. To lay down your life for another. Many thousands of American citizens have died for the love of their fellow man. May God Bless them all.

Blessed John Duns Scotus, the thirteenth-century Franciscan theologian, expresses God’s greatest gift to us is our freedom and our free will. This is the way we can show our alignment with God in all our actions or words. Or not as the case may be. We have the option to use our free will in whatever form we want. Only to be moderated by the law.

Scotus continues to illustrate with this with blinding simplicity, if our choices are based in love, then they are from God. So[MC1] , patterns of love are exercised if we align ourselves with God, and therefore do His will with this in our heart. All other actions are not of God.

This simple message is best communicated in Jesus’s words on the Sermon on the Mount, in the beatitudes. Here, and thoroughly, the Way of God is illustrated in all parts of our lives. Loving others, caring for the poor needy, surrendering to God, are all there.

This coming week we have a way of communicating His will using the beatitudes and His love in our duty to vote for those who best represent our personal values and beliefs. It is always a time for me to dig deep into these bigger questions and move beyond the sound bites and divisiveness which seems to have become polarized. I often feel, listening to the news that I am hearing “The United Hates of America” and so little of what caused me to move here, so little of what truly makes up the character of an accepting, loving, nurturing and generous nation which was the one I came to in the 1980s. While I am still optimistic, my own decisions, not just in voting, but in everyday life, continue to be informed by these guidelines in the beatitudes.

The word beatitude means “supreme blessedness.” How beautiful is that? Today, I need this blessedness to guide me during my days and weeks. And I will use them on Monday as I make decisions to determine who I feel is most aligned with those instructions from the Sermon on the Mount.

I also pray the divisiveness which permeates the country, communities and even families will be dissipated soon, washed away in the Blood of Christ and the Eucharist we celebrate together today.

Oversensitive

When the pain comes in from those who dislike you,

Or what you have done,

Or seems you had done;

The fork in the road rushes up.

XXX

To vilify and engage in debate,

Shredding their argument,

And then their clothes;

Until they are left naked, and your work is done.

XXX

Or listen and pray,

Perhaps then, we might hear what is behind the words,

The critiques, the noise,

And learn what is in their heart.

XXX

Which may tell us what is in ours.

---

[MC1]

THE UNBROKEN WORD

Have you ever felt so close to someone that you feel like they are a part of you? Very likely, particularly for mothers (and sometimes fathers/siblings) who have a biological connection with their kids as well as a spiritual one. However, sometimes, just sometimes we feel this way about others who we don’t have the DNA connection to spark this particular fire.

Often this connection is driven by love. We are reluctant to use the word love in society today, at least openly as it denotes some feelings we often want to keep reserved for those either really close to us or to those who might not understand when someone says “I love you”. This does not mean they are making a lifelong exclusive commitment to that person; as we do in the sacrament marriage for example.

In Biblical Greek there are five words which describe love, not just the one we have to use in the English language, therefore the confusion often abounds because of the way the word is applied in everyday use. However, Jesus tells us to “love one another” and does not qualify that with any type of partial inference. We are called to love one another; period.

This short column is not the place to look at all aspects of this call, but we can look at the original premise, seeing those in the world who we feel immensely close to; where that love and closeness becomes a “oneness” with the other. Many of us have spiritual friends who feel as close as family; these do not have to be spouses or lovers, but just those we are at one with. Where our bond together is strong and lasting, through difficulties and problems, someone we can be sure their heart and not just their head is aligned with us. There are no limits to the depth of this love, it’s just a different love than the one we experience in a lifelong marriage.

Perhaps this week we can reflect on those relationships in our lives, and begin to recognize them for what they are. We also could see how many more there might be if we just reduced a natural “reluctance” to show this love for another person. The Bible and our faith calls us to love our brothers and sisters, but we often begin with what separates us, not what connects us.

This love is pure grace, which is God’s love for us communicated. Let this love flow as we prepare for Advent. A time where we wait for the arrival of God’s love made known to us in the flesh; to ascribe this in our love for each other.

INTO THE MYSTERY

In the olive grove, just before sundown,

A path is laid clear, from pickers and carts of old;

Of where I must go when the darkness comes,

To find those who are missing.

XXX

And need to return home.