Reflection
In the present social climate in our country, it is worth remembering what it means to be a Christian. To be a Christian is to be reflective of the inclusive love of Christ.To be absorbed in one’s own safety, needs and comfort while others suffer is not only selfish and self-absorbed but an affront to the Jesus whom we claim to follow. Jesus made it clear that his followers were to be compassionate and inclusive. All were part of his community; no one was left outside his circle. To be indifferent to the human needs of any group and ignore their ppression and still call oneself a Christian is to live a falsehood. As Jesus was conscious of and impartial toward the needs of others, so must his followers be. Artificial focus on differences, feelings of superiority, and unwillingness to open ourselves to the equality and human needs of others is a rejection not only of them but also of Jesus.
Prayer
God give me the grace to live as a true follower of Jesus.
Action
Read the gospels again and study the words and actions of Jesus. Where am I deserving of the admonition of Jesus? Where do I reject him in others? What needs to change in me?
Suggested Reading
“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in, naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ He will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers or sisters of mine, even the least of them, you did it to me.”
Matthew 25:35-40
We have observed that, in society and the world in which we live, selfishness has increased more than love for others, and that men of good will must work, each with his own strengths and expertise, to ensure that love for others increases until it is equal and possibly exceeds love for oneself.
Pope Francis
Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
St. Francis of Assisi
As human beings, we each have a responsibility to care for humanity. Expressing concern for others brings inner strength and deep satisfaction. As social animals, human beings need friendship, but friendship doesn’t come from wealth and power, but from showing compassion and concern for others.
Dalai Lama
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?
Martin Luther King Jr.
Ultimately, America’s answer to the intolerant man is diversity, the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired.
Robert F. Kennedy
We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem. Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.
Fred Rogers
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
Maya Angelou
Caring can be learned by all human beings, can be worked into the design of every life, meeting an individual need as well as a pervasive need in society.
Mary Catherine Bateson
Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.
Verna Myers
Note
Today is Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). It has a long history of overindulgence and revelry prior to the forty day fast of lent. Even where lent has ceased to have much religious meaning there is a festival before the period of what once was strict ascetic fasting and abstinence. The observance of lent has been modified, but we can give this day before Ash Wednesday some spiritual meaning by expressing our gratitude for what we have received and sharpening our awareness of those who are in need. Being grateful for what we have, we can commit ourselves to those who have so much less. While we feast, we can balance that with the realization that the discipline of fasting provides an important balance to our life styles. We can reflect that what we consider fasting is an abundance in many parts of the world.