Are you a comfortable, anonymous Catholic? Well good morning to you as well, Father. Without asking, the priest asked. He preached on the growing irreligious sense of our culture, he intoned the need to preach with word and example in the marketplaces of our contemporary society – at work, amongst family and friends. Father recognized the ease with which many of us attend Mass and pray and yet shut the door of our faith when we walk out of Church.
To be a Christian is to be a light bearer. If Christ is the light of the world and if, as He commanded, “I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the utmost parts of the earth,” we are called to bear His light (Acts 13:47). In a world often cluttered with noise, stuff, and distractions it is easy for our hearts to dismiss the importance of the big questions: who am I, why am I here, how am I called to receive from and give to God and others love; how do my thoughts, words, and deeds pertain to Christ’s call of self denial so that I may “go by the same way as Christ went, in the humble form of a servant, in want, scorn, and mockery, not loving the world and not beloved by it?” (Gospel of Suffering, 19). How often do I remember that the only judgment that matters is Christ’s in the light of eternity? These are serious questions which bear significance and therefore require adequate reflection. Some of these answers will be and are foundational. Others of these are seasonal and mere accouterments to the structural foundation we decide upon. Recently I’ve been thinking of the sand castles I spent building during my early twenties. Now I don’t believe any labor when in light of Christ is done in vain; however, when sand castles are seemingly washed away it does prompt one before rebuilding to question: Are you building sand castles or fortresses? Is the Lord the cornerstone?
“John Paul said that he … believed that young people were capable of greatness. His hope was strengthened whenever he met the young because ‘the longing present in every heart for a full and free life that is worthy of the human person is particularly strong in youth… Being young is a time designed by God for searching” (Witness to Hope, 684-685). Let us be thankful for this time of searching. Let us be thankful for this time when Christ offers us Himself as our foundation. Let us be thankful for the grace to renounce all that leads us astray. Let us be thankful for the courage to sit in the school of silence and to daily decide our foundation.
Bl. Pier Giorgio knew the value in this search. He would ascend to the heights physically amongst the mountains while also spiritually ascending the way of perfection. He, in his youth, answered these questions. Sometimes we think of the saints as people who just are walking along and as though their way was their way. Rather, it is important to recognize they all faced the same choices that we face today. How am I called to lay down my life for the sake of the Gospel? As a response to God’s love, the only proper response is self-giving love. The saints availed themselves to God’s grace, opened themselves to God’s plans, and decided to journey on the narrow way because Christ called and because they testify that the yoke of the Lord is light. He who bears His cross will find much joy.
“There are moments in which the human soul, free of all fetters, laid bare, reveals more to others than itself. On that sad winter afternoon at the railway station, I read in my brother’s farewell the signs of his dismay. He trembled all over and his tears fell almost dry from eyes burning with pain. He could not form whole words; they came out with a stammer that almost turned into a scream. (Man of the Beatitudes, 115).” The saints were faced with the question of renouncing societal average as their path as well as how to bear real sorrow with joy. Let us have the courage to share and show our wounds to Christ. The Divine Physician wishes to heal our hurts and glorify our wounds. As God courageously bears the wounds from the wood of the cross for us to see, let us too vulnerably approach the cross with both the surety and joy of the resurrection and the humility of the manger.
Verso l’alto,
Kathryn Grace
Love's the only house big enough for all the pain
Don’t let your praying knees get lazy and love like CRAZY
You're not alone...We've all got bruises
No comments:
Post a Comment