Christ on the cross offers us redemption, and invites us to particpate in the salvation of the world.
He invites us to be the body of Christ, and thus to enter into his great heart, to love others as He does, and to bleed for them, for love of them.
Whosoever we call “them,” is who we are called to love.
What does that mean?
It means treating people with dignity.
It means recognizing that there is no one, no one, NO ONE, who we should not treat with dignity, not because they have earned it, but because if Christ would wash our feet, we should not refuse to wash anyone else’s.
What does it look like?
Turning the other cheek. Offering love where there is hate. Serving those who cannot return the favor. (Acts of mercy). Reaching out to those who are alone. Responding to injustice with the oddest of responses, mercy.
It does not mean seeking suffering. It does mean praying for your enemies. They need your prayers, and your soul needs to do the praying. Otherwise, we will return hate with hate, violence with violence, cruelty with more cruelty, and the world will burn.
Radical kindness is not conservative or liberal in nature, it does not fit into a political lens. An infinite heart cannot be bound by political ideology. Our goal, is to have Christ’s heart as our own, to partake in loving the world with an infinite heart.
I do not want to be weighed, measured and found wanting by my Lord, only to be weighed, measured and found wanting my Lord.
Wednesday’s gospel was when Jesus tells the crowd and his apostles about the sower who goes out and sows seeds. We all know the tale, some fell on rocky ground, some was choked by weeds, some eaten by birds, and some on good soil that produced thirty, sixty, and hundred fold. Jesus even explains its meaning to the apostles which Mark reveals.
Which leaves us with the words, the meaning, and the challenge to discern, what have we done with the seed? Has it been choked by worldly concerns or idols? Has it been carried off by our choices, by our willingness to sin? Has it been dried up because it got too hard? Is it yeilding fruit? Is it seeking to yeild fruit?
How do we know? Look at the gifts of the Holy Spirit –wisdom, understanding, fortitude, piety, counsel, knowledge and fear of the Lord. What have you been given? Are you using these gifts?
Look at the fruits of the Holy Spirit? Are they, (to use the modern favorite word) manifesting in your life?
With the Holy Spirit, it is always the Golden Hour. Photo by Mark Berman
Charity (Love): Selfless love for God and others.
Joy: Inner happiness based on love of God.
Peace: Calmness of soul, trusting in God.
Patience: Enduring difficult situations without anger.
Kindness: Sympathy and consideration for others.
Goodness: Moral integrity and desire to do good.
Generosity: Sharing freely with others.
Gentleness: Dealing with others with mildness.
Faithfulness: Reliability and loyalty to God.
Modesty: Moderation in appearance and behavior.
Self-control: Mastery over passions and desires.
Chastity: Purity of mind and body according to one’s state in life.
These are ways to know if you, are good soil, or if you need to ask for more seed, more roots, more grace, more opportunity to serve. Ultimately, if we look at ourselves, we will know, we are wanting. However, we also know, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened for you. So ask, ask to be good soil, to yeild good fruit, and then say, “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.” The opportunities will be presented, and grace given.
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