Being like God.
Over the past months we have seen very different sides to our character as a nation. We have been inspired by the extraordinary generosity towards those who have suffered natural disasters. As a nation we were united in our care. On the other hand how different are the feelings concerning the grieving asylum seekers. While their sorrow is recognised, our leaders don’t know how to act. Where should the funerals be? Who should pay? Who should be allowed to stay?….and how will the voters react? The situation is difficult, confusing and confronting.
While we each will have little influence, except at voting time, on that situation, it does provide us with a lesson for our own lives. Helping people we get along with is relatively easy. For good family and neighbours, we will do almost anything. But when we have to deal with people we don’t understand, people different from us, people tricky, demanding or unpleasant, we become confused and don’t know what to do. We can try to ignore them or blame them for their situation – anything but face the challenge Jesus gives us. He calls us to be like God and act in a loving manner towards them even if they don’t deserve it. This is a big ask, usually expressed in small actions: saying hello to the grumpy neighbour, helping out the selfish relative, welcoming the new people in the street who are different to us. Even if our good actions bring about no change we will have grown into our calling to be daughters and sons of our loving God.
Heavenly Father, you call us to love like you even when we find it difficult. Give us the wisdom of your Spirit that we may love as Jesus loves and show your love to our family and community. We ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will here us.
Sr Kym Harris osb