One of the typical complaints of people who refuse to become active in the Church is that they see the sins, they see the shortcomings, they see that going to Church is no different than not going. Yes, it seems the gossip, the fighting for position, the backbiting, the infighting, and the wrong relationships exist regardless.
In St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus got mad at the people of the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. They had received so many blessings, so many miracles, and so many healings from Jesus. Yet, it did not make them better people. It did not make them better Children of God.
In our everyday lives, there are things we remember that can guide us to become better persons, better Christians:
- Forgiveness. Jesus was once asked, “How many times must I forgive, seventy times?” In the Jewish tradition, seventy times meant a lot. The response of Christ, “70 x 7 times” In other words, not a lot but always. Life is short, swift, and uncertain. It is so hard to live with anger, resentment, and a lack of forgiveness.
- Friends. There is a saying, “Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are.” The family that we have plays a very big role in who we are as human beings. The friends we choose have as significant a role in our personhood.
- Reflections. Socrates said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Each day we should wrestle with questions such as: Why am I here, where am I going? How will my decisions, actions, and words affect my desire for life eternal?
May we always realize first, that no one is perfect we will always fall down. Second, may we realize the desire to be a better person because of God’s love and grace. Finally, may we have deep and meaningful relationships: with ourselves through forgiveness, with the people around us through God-fearing true friends, with God through prayer, and doing the will of the Lord.
3 Ways 2 Your 1 God 