The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
“United in heart.” Wow... what a dream. What a concept! It feels unimaginable, even unattainable — especially in this current season of protests, elections, politics, and media. As I read that sentence, I felt heartbroken. The hope that resounds in Paul’s voice in regards to unity and compassion is something that has been getting lost within me lately; the sinful vice of wanting to place people in boxes keeps bubbling up in my heart. This dark desire to call others out, correct people (as if I had all the right answers), or to even label and block them from my life is all too familiar in these last few months. It is so. Darn. Tempting — tempting to say I am better than others; tempting to say that that my viewpoints are the only correct ones; tempting to say that that so-and-so person isn’t acting like a Christian and therefore they don’t deserve my friendship anymore. How toxic are those thoughts?
But I think the scariest aspect of these toxic thoughts that bubble up against others is that we are generally blinded to them. They start off small and quiet but get darker and more bitter. And I’m even ashamed to admit this, but they can quickly manifest into desiring an ill will for others every time I go online or share a conversation with someone that contradicts my thoughts. It just seems to happen without notice and my self-righteous attitude and pride start to creep in and convince me I am right to think these things about others.
And then, if you’re anything like me, you read these passages and they pierce straight to your heart (or even to the pit of your stomach)! Have I been "united in heart" to others? Nope. Have I even tried to regard others as higher than myself? Nope. Is my attitude anything like Christ’s? Not even close. And then the question that kills me the most: Are other people who I deem “unworthy” getting to heaven before me simply because I do not change my mind? We are called to truly believe in the inherent goodness of others, to truly believe that I am not the know-it-all I claim to be, and — most importantly — to truly believe that we are all seeking heaven. No matter what personal disagreements may arise, the only label or box we all need to be placed in is that of “Beloved.”
Ana Glaze is the Communications Director for Adore Ministries in Houston, Texas. She is a proud Mexican-American and loves Jesus just as much as her Hispanic culture! She’s been married for five years to her hilarious husband Daniel, and together they have two kids. You can follow her primarily on Instagram but you can hit her up on Twitter, too!