Perhaps, it is still heroic, to accept the boring old inconvenient crosses of the everyday, and to bear them with joy, than to take on the tremendous crosses that everyone can see.
I have long suspected that God does not worry about technicalities.
Although I believe it is very very important to follow the rules and prescriptions of our faith and religion, I also believe that God Himself looks into our hearts.
After all, I have been guilty of attending Holy Mass with a heart troubled by another soul and a lack of love for my neighbour. So, though I am following the technical application of worship in my faith and religion, in my heart, God is unhappy, because I am not following the spirit of His direction to me.
And I know this because He tells me about it in the parables.
After all, He spoke of the Tax Collector and Pharisee in the Synagogue, “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10-14).
And this tells me that I must remain focused on my heart and soul, for this – this spirit – rather than the technical nature of my method of worship, is what I really need to focus on.
And I beware the Pharisees, for I am in danger of becoming one of them…
“On a sabbath, while he was going through the grainfields, His disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. But some of the Pharisees said, ‘Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath?’” (Luke 6:1-5).
Saint Josemaría wrote, “Long face, rough manner, ridiculous appearance, unfriendly attitude. Is that how you hope to inspire others to follow Christ?”
And I have been reflecting on that too. You see, the one common trait of all the Saints is their joy. Even in the midst of great suffering, they experienced and professed profound joy – not because they were not suffering, but because they were not worried about technicalities… Instead, they were focused on the love in their hearts. And it occurs to me today that I spend far too much time waiting for the RIGHT sort of suffering, so that when I receive the RIGHT sort of Cross, I can actually endure it with joy. Instead, I must pray for the Grace to see my own suffering as the RIGHT sort of Cross for me. For perhaps, it is still heroic, to accept the boring old inconvenient crosses of the everyday, and to bear them with joy, than to take on the tremendous crosses that everyone can see. And it seems to me today, that such heroism cannot be achieved in my lifetime without the Grace of my Beloved…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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