How About That?

08-27-2017Weekly ReflectionFr. Brian Jazdzewski

We find all sorts of paradoxes the longer we live. Along those lines, I encourage you, in the light of the Gospel, to make some really clear observations; expand your horizons. The state, nation and world are a lot bigger than southern Buffalo County. For example, the solar eclipse on Monday. In the wake of civil protests which indicate a lot of disunity, did you notice, at least for a few moments, the national unity around this lunar event? In other words, we really did come together as a nation. We were buying glasses, watching news, talking about and observing the eclipse…together! We really can be unified, it’s possible, and unity happened.

There is another paradox I’d like you to consider regarding some other significant aspects of life. Take for example, what typically happens this time of year. Schools prepare handbooks for students and lesson plans are expected from educators. Paragraph after paragraph describe codes of conduct. Consider also the pages of regulations which accompany DNR books about snowmobiling, ATVing, hunting and the like. Now, compare that to the documents which come along with a marriage license; virtually no manual on how to live marriage. Or, better yet, what kind of parenting regulations come along with a newborn? In fact, parents do not even need to acquire a license to become parents. You may want to use this as a conversation starter over the next few days; it’s really fun to play around with these paradoxes.

In an effort to propose some sort of synthesis and Catholic spin on these paradoxes, we look at the core of what marriage and parenting is about. In fact, these two of many foundations of our culture, are really based upon a sense of goodness. The goodness which means we really work for the good of the other person. We want, and will support, those things which help others become the best version of themselves. A sense of goodness is what brings unity upon people who disagree. Its goodness, being entertained by celestial bodies in an eclipse, which unite a country.

While we become really honest with ourselves, we remember that goodness is at the core of the Gospel. God wills what is best for us and so He gives us Jesus, who is sacrificed, so that we can have the chance of eternal life. We also remember that our Savior gave us two commandments which support the virtue of goodness. Love God and Love your neighbor. Those two, summed up in one word, LOVE, are really the essence of what it means to be married. Love is also the code of conduct for being parents. While we live out the commandment of love, we come to realize that love is not always warm and fuzzy. In fact, the Christian example reminds us that love in its deepest sense often leads us to sacrifice our personal wants, needs and desires for the one(s) we love. Gazing at the crucifix reminds us of loving sacrifice.

Married people become amazing married people because they have loved in this sense. Parents become amazing parents because they have loved in this sense. People become amazing people because they have loved in this sense. By virtue of baptism we are sacramentally blessed with the grace to witness to love in this sense. When we hear and respond to the question of, “who do you say that He is?” we continue to see Christ and His love for God and others. The graces of our baptism are what unite us in Christ. The graces of our baptism are what aid us in renewing the face of the earth in His love.

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