Catholic Faith Space
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Things were finally looking up and going well at work again after a long six months of instability and messiness at the organization, caused by financial struggles and almost all the staff quitting amid sexual assault charges against the director, along with several other issues. Since March, we had a full team again and several fundraisers and events were planned for the year. We finally had a great, dedicated team of employees who could focus on the organization's mission. But then a few weeks ago, it all changed, again. Besides the director and a security employee, I was left alone once again as the only employee. I asked, “Lord, why is this happening? I don’t want to go through this again.” Sitting in prayer a few days ago, I realized I have been clinging too tightly onto something that can change in an instant. Instead of trying to hold onto a job and people I enjoyed working with, I need to hold onto God, who never changes and always provides.
Do you ever find yourself clinging onto earthly and temporary things? Why do we do this? Maybe we don’t trust God as much as we should. Maybe we think what we have is better than anything else God is going to give us later. Maybe we are scared of change. As I’ve come to the conclusion that it might be time to start searching and applying for new jobs, I ‘ve been reminded of what really matters. At the end of the day, it is just a job. The change and questions about what is to come are small in comparison to God and His providence. My job and coworkers may change but God never does. His love, protection, and goodness remain the same no matter what else is happening. We are not promised the absence of losses, changes, or difficulties. But God does promise to walk with us always, provide for us, and give us all that we need. When we experience change, loss, or disappointment, may we pray: Lord, I know you are never surprised. You hold this moment, hour, day, and my whole life in your hands. You know what I need and when I need it. Help me to trust in your promises always. You are so good and you never fail to provide. It is you alone who can satisfy and give the fullness of life. Amen.
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Over the past several weeks, an abundance of checks were sent to me (church treasurer), as people were determined to have their sacrificial giving in by the end of the fiscal year. Often called “church dues”, it appeared to me that many people seem to take that term too literally and view being part of a church as a type of club that requires membership fees. As checks rolled in, I noticed that there were many people who I did not even realize were members of the church. No volunteering at parish events, no helping out in various ministries, and no mass attendance. The mindset among some people seems to be along the lines of, “well, I paid my church dues so now I’m set for another year.” Of course, our churches need financial support and we need to be generous in our giving but what is the point of “belonging” to a church if we don’t gather as a community to participate in the church and embrace the faith?
What gives people the desire to want to be part of a church but not actively involved? Aside from being in a nursing home, sick, or physically unable for various reasons, there is nothing that makes sense. What purpose is there to sending in a check each year just to say “we belong” or “we’re members”? Anyone can throw some money at a building and call it a day. But guess what? Jesus doesn’t just want your money. More than anything, He wants your heart. He wants you to know Him and love Him in a deep and personal way. He does not just want to be another obligation you have or an organization you join. He wants to be everything for you. What if every single person who was a “member” of the church was a person who attended mass and shared their gifts and talents with the faith community? The church would look a lot different. The church would be on fire and all who identify as Catholic would be excited and vibrant in their faith. Think of how many people out there are Catholic on paper based on membership lists but fail to embrace the teachings of the Church, and even worse, fail to know and have a relationship with God? Our church membership lists may be long but the list of those who fully participate and really know God are short. Each and every one of us has an infinite desire for love. That infinite desire is ultimately a desire for God, which is written on the human heart. No amount of “church dues” or money can satisfy that desire. Reach out to the people you know who belong to the church but who never show up and pray that they will not just give their money, but their hearts. There’s nothing quite like deep life chats late at night. My older sister was home for the week, visiting from North Carolina, so naturally, the four of us siblings sat in the kitchen Saturday night talking until 1 AM. Much of our conversation focused on our dad and how his Frontotemporal Dementia has continued to progress rapidly, causing him to go downhill quickly in the last several months. It’s been over ten years so it shouldn’t feel hard, yet it is. Shouldn’t we be strong by now? For the most part, we laugh at the crazy, unbelievable things that happen on a daily basis. But sometimes, we cry. It is only because of being vulnerable and sharing the struggles that we can experience the laughter and joy.
We heard in this weekend’s second reading, “Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong” ( Corinthians 12:10). It is through our weaknesses and struggles that we find strength through Christ. It’s often tempting to think that we have it all together, that we are like cement walls that cannot be moved or shaken. When we have these thoughts and try to rely on our own human strength we will break much more easily. When we admit to our difficulties and weaknesses and rely on Jesus’ perfect strength, we become strong. A lot of times, people think vulnerability is a bad thing. They see being vulnerable as a sign of weakness. Being vulnerable means going deeper in our relationships with others and trusting more. It allows us to connect more deeply. It means sharing our hearts, thus revealing our weaknesses and struggles. Being vulnerable requires courage. Have you ever started crying in front of a group of people while giving a talk or cried in a co-worker’s office? These types of situations can be embarrassing but usually out of our control. They show that we are willing to take risks and that our hearts do not have walls around them. When we are vulnerable, we allow others to accompany us in our sufferings and lift us up in prayer, which is what we are all called to do for one another. Jesus showed us what it means to be vulnerable. He wept at times. He cried out to God the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. He hung fully exposed, beaten and bloodied, on the cross for us. Jesus’ vulnerability was not weakness, but strength. It is through His strength that He shows us what it looks like to love completely, without barriers. To be vulnerable means to fully expose our emotions but it also means to love and allow ourselves to be loved. Rather than trying to cover up our struggles and hardships, we should work to be open and vulnerable. This allows us to lean into our faith and be drawn closer to Jesus. Our strength pales in comparison to His. If we allow ourselves to give up our own strength and walk into our weaknesses, we will find that we are stronger. At times when we feel weak and tired may we pray: Jesus, many days, this cross feels too heavy. I am weak and walking this path often feels like a crawl. Help me to carry this cross with grace, perseverance, and strength that comes only from You. Help me to have the faith to carry it and help me remember what it means to be your disciple. When I question the suffering and doubt your goodness, may I offer everything up to you. Help me know that I do not walk alone and that you are carrying this cross with me, guiding me every step of the way with your strength. Amen. |
AuthorStriving to share hope, joy, God's love, and all of the good stuff, one blog post at a time. Categories |
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