LET’S BE REAL
At times we can be so intent on controlling our lives, that God, the Giver of life itself, can sometimes seem to be exiled from our lives, called back only when things go wrong or we need some kind of divine endorsement or affirmation.
But, in fact, all of us are alive because “of” and “for” God, who sends us into the world, stays with us and sustains us in all of our desires and efforts to put our love into action.
Theologian Walter Burghardt, S.J.(1914-2008), described contemplation as “taking a long loving look at the real.” As we consider all that is happening in the world – especially because of war, hatred and cruelty – we have to be real about who we are as people of faith, as followers of Jesus Christ, and what we are called to do as his disciples in helping to heal our world and our humanity.
In today’s gospel, Jesus calls us to embrace “what is above” in order to re-create this life “below” through God’s vision of forgiveness, reconciliation and compassion.
As Lent winds down, let’s stay attentive and appreciate the things of “above”, the things of God, and not be merely satisfied with the things of “below”, just the things of our human experience. We make the real ordinariness of our humanity extraordinary, by staying rooted and grounded in the person of Christ.
May God continue to transform our attitudes, enlighten our vision, keep us real, instill us with God’s wisdom to seek God and God’s way of holiness and peace in all things.
We pray with today’s psalm: O Lord hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.
John P. McGarry, S.J.