Men's Rosary

As we grow in our faith and spirituality, we should begin to look at others differently.  Many times, we come from a place of self-reliance and focus on our own pursuits.  We see the world as a place where we need to make our way and stake out our claim.  We live within parameters which we determine are correct and others are flawed in some way. What we do in our life is to our benefit and affects us, and what others do is their business so long as it does not affect us. This microsociologic perspective is flawed at best and destructive at worse, especially in the light of our Christian faith.  What we do affects everyone and what anyone else does affects us. When one has success, all have success; when one fails we all fail; when one feels love we all are loved; when one is suffering, we all suffer. We are the Church, the Bride of Christ.  We are one body so we must care for one another. “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” (1 Corinthians 12:26) This causes me to pause and reflect on how I look at others, how we all see others. We must not be judgmental, but we must be prudent and judge each situation.  We may not keep company with all, or let everyone get too close to us, but at the same time we must not exclude or discount anyone’s worth or dignity.  “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Knowing that we are called to evangelize; sharing Christs teachings, life, and example; it seems apparent that an excellent way is through serving one another.  Furthermore, it is found in how we react to and perceive our brothers and sisters in Christ.  The corporal works of mercy came to mind (Matthew 25:31-46) and as the Church teaches.  Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit (heal/minister to) the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead. The physical and temporal meaning of these is plain. I asked myself; how can I look at these in a spiritual nature as they pertain to caring for others and evangelization? How can I use these works to see others in a different light and step out of my narrow view of things?

Feeding the hungry is more than providing food.  Many hunger for company, faith, love, and community. Listening to others, even when it is not convenient, offers insight into where their pain and needs are. This is our opportunity to love as Christ loved. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” (1 John 4:11-12)

Many thirst for more than something to drink.  They also thirst for knowledge and understanding.  They thirst to be heard and understood and thirst for direction and help.  We need to listen and pay attention to see this thirsting and then be courageous enough to speak and share Christ and his way with them. “Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his day of salvation from day to day.” (Psalm 96:2) To the extent that Christ has quenched our thirst, we should share that water with others.

Some live in wonderful homes with all one would need. These can still be homeless. They have no community, family, or sense of belonging. They are not necessarily lonely, but isolated. I have always said that a home is only as good as the people in it. Our Church, the body of Christ is a home. We must be willing to let those living only in houses enter the shelter of our home.  “Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you.” (Romans 12:7)

One can be free of physical sickness but extremely ill in a spiritual sense. Listening closely, we can hear the spiritual deficiencies and offer the healing balm of Christ’s words and teachings. We can minister to their needs through evangelization. We are quick to share a referral of a good dentist, doctor, surgeon; all to address physical maladies. Why would we not offer Christ, the Great Physician in the presence of spiritual illness?

Prisoners are not found only in prison.  There are many who are prisoners of themselves. Stuck in a cycle of sin or in the errors of their past – they are imprisoned. When we hear this, we are given the opportunity to share the mercy of Christ and break those chains that bind them to a way of life they wish to escape. We can visit them in their cell of imprisonment and give them the key to spiritual freedom.

When someone takes that key and decides to move toward Christ, we can help bury the dead; that dead life, to be lived no more.  We can assist others in seeing and understanding that we are not our past.  We are not our shortcomings and failings.  We can help others see their potency and know that we are who we are becoming. We can make reparations as best we can, but we are called to be like Christ.  We are called to live in Christ.  “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

One who comes to Christ, who realizes that without him they can do nothing, who is ready to step away from a worldly life and self-centered way of living, will feel vulnerable.  This person may even feel naked, as they have shed the clothes of worldliness.  This is our chance to share the greatness of putting on the clothing of Christ.  To share what a difference these clothes make.  “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with garland, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)

I share these thoughts as a way of asking how we can change the way we see others. We can all do better in seeing into the person rather than seeing the person. We can do better in understanding someone rather than just hearing them. We can do better in loving others by really caring about where they are in relation to God.  We can take better ownership of our Christianity by becoming evangelistic in nature.  If we do not share Christ with the world, the world will not know of him.  If we are serious about our salvation, we must be concerned for the salvation of all. We can be better disciples and love more. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34)

“There is nothing colder than a Christian who is not concerned about the salvation of others… do not say, I cannot help others; for, if you are truly a Christian it is impossible not to.”  (St. John Chrysostom)