GOD IS LOOKING OUT FOR US
As a child, my parents frequently warned me of stranger danger, the classic “don’t go near the white van when a man offers you candy” type discussions. As a teen, I’ve learned to protect my heart and ego when trusted friends suddenly started to ignore me, or classmates would talk bad behind my back. And now in my adulthood, a vigilance has grown: When will the next conflict occur? Who will hurt me next? And it’s from this hurt that we can learn to judge: an internal action that starts as scanning for social danger then transitions to making assumptions of another’s intentions, without discerning whether our perspective is rooted in woundedness or mercy.
However, today’s first reading reminds me of a truth I am learning to ground myself in: God is looking out of us. God is revealing to us the hearts of others, and our own, in both our good and wounded intentions: Are we listening? Are we picking up the cues? Perhaps it is not our job to “judge” others: to automatically assume the worst, to push away or shut down others, especially at the first sign of interpersonal conflict. Rather, the invitation may be to take a moment to reflect on our lived experience with this person, connect with our instincts, and surrender the relationship to God. And it’s from this awareness we can take intentional next steps: does a boundary need to be set? Is a discussion needed to gain clarity? Do amends need to be made? There is no need to self-protect with judgment and anxiety because God is protecting us with presence and discernment.
Allow the Searcher of mind, heart, and soul to not only protect our relationships, but also purify us deeply of our own wounded intentions that may have been left unaddressed. He is ready to meet us in mercy if we are ready to receive Him. Let your words and actions speak for themselves, and allow the same for others. God’s mercy is the gate to enter into a place of greater acceptance of ourselves, others, and God’s love for us.
God, purify our hearts richly and deeply. Protect us from our own woundedness and the woundedness of others. We are part of the same family and we were all made to love and be in communion with You. Invite us into greater healing and mercy in all our relationships, especially our relationship with You. Amen.
Liz Tapang
Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash