Christian Living

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JESUS’ INVITATION TO LOVE

This is a short reflection which focuses on Jesus inviting us to come . The difference between what our culture might see as important and what Jesus thinks is important. It is meant to help us realize who we really are and the spiritual path we are called to follow. It is written with much love and respect for the person who reads this. Peace be with you.

The world asks more and more of you. You must support yourself and your family. You may need to take care of friends or family who are ill or hurting. You might feel the need to “get ahead,” get a promotion, or work longer hours. Add to that society’s pressure to have a nice body, and listen to the media make fun of caring for others and living out your faith. It seems to be fashionable to make fun of people and treat others as a means to get ahead. To be fair, not all of our culture is this way. But we tend to think of the elderly as “cute,” while many have to live in places the rest of us would never want to live.

Why am I sharing this with you? Because Jesus invites us to an entirely different way of living. He asks us to come to Him with what we feel, no matter what it is. He will not judge or condemn us in any way. He asks us to take off the masks we wear, and come with our hearts in total honesty, surrendering ourselves to Him. Once we realize how we must empty ourselves (our desire to be important, our prejudices, our judgment of others, and so on), then we are able to let the light of Jesus shine bright within our heart and soul. We will see ourselves for who we really are; beloved children of God.

We realize that it doesn't matter what the world thinks of us, or if we are important in our culture’s eyes. Their thoughts become of no importance, at all. We realize that, not only are we a child of God, but that all others are, as well. What a wonderful meditation! We realize that, if God is within us, He is also within everyone we meet. The person at work who annoys us, or the neighbor who always gives you dirty looks; they are children of God. They may be hurting for reasons which we are unaware. Does that mean we let them abuse us in some way? Of course not. But we learn to see them as people just like us, who may be hurting is some way. How we treat them is how we are treating a beloved child of God

Yes, we want to care for our spouse and children, not because it is our duty or obligation, but because they are children of God, and they are to be treated as you would treat His beloved child. Jesus has given each of us gifts to use, and yes, we are to use them. However, these gifts aren’t simply to be used to get more money or a promotion, so we can feel important, but we’re to use them because Jesus wants us to use the gifts He gave us to show His love and life to the world.

After we go to Jesus in prayer, we realize there is a strong urgency to share his love, which can't be ignored. Older adults especially need respect and dignity. They can teach us much, and oftentimes they just want someone to listen to their goodness and wisdom. We need to hear and appreciate their words. Once we open our lives to Jesus, we never know where He will lead us. What we do know, however, is that our path will involve love, joy, the cross, and the kind of peace the world cannot give.
Amen.

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