No Disrespect, Please?

My best is all I can do.  Writing this blog creates vulnerability to attacks from those who don't agree with or like my observations.  Seems my blog post about divorce a few days ago generated quite an array of negative comments.  Disrespectful comments expose an unhealed wound somewhere in the writer's heart.  By lashing out at someone on the right path to Jesus, it somehow makes them feel better about their hidden sins . . . the flaws and mistakes they have buried deep within, and if revealed, would make them just as much a sinner as I am.  Acting piously and judging actions in another's past is not what Jesus asks of us.  He desires to draw His children closer to Him, not push them away.  Why is it when we come to terms with our past and expose our wounds, some want to infect it to the point of ulceration?  Punishment doesn't work.  Ask my daughter who is a Behavior Analyst!  Jesus knows I will falter once in a while. But I will continue, despite the negativity, to put myself out there and expose my blemished past in hopes one person will read it and realize Jesus is kind and merciful, patiently waiting with open arms and all the graces needed to heal. 

Todays Gospel (Matthew 22:1-14) couldn't have been better timing for my post today:

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, "The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast."' Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then the king said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.' The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' Many are invited, but few are chosen."

Basically, He has invited us . . . so come prepared. Draw others to Him by shining His Light, not criticizing to send them toward darkness.  

In Anne a lay apostle’s book Climbing the Mountain, she encourages us to move past disrespect from others.  I have quoted the bolded line below many times to help those who are criticized understand where the venom is coming from:

“But let’s look not only at the service but also at the spirit of the service. We opt to cook and clean and do so in union with Christ, and in great love and prayer for the others who are not serving but enjoying the party. Well done again and even better if we are here. Conversely, cooking and cleaning resentfully is not the idea. If we are here, we must ask Jesus to fill us with love for those we serve. Let’s move a bit further. We opt to cook and clean in union with Jesus, in prayerful petitioning for the ones enjoying the party. Those souls are ridiculing and mocking us for the very service we perform. They show us that they feel superior to us and even treat us with pitying disrespect. Because our service shines a light on their non-service and exposes them, they strike out at us in their guilt. They deliberately misunderstand our motives, which wounds us terribly. We take this and offer it to Jesus in union with His Passion for these very souls and beg Him for conversion graces and clarity for them. We feel the stings but soldier on, overcoming any urges to retaliate by showing them that we are not fools to be taken advantage of, but willing victims for heaven. We correctly see these urges as temptations to be overcome. This is very good and if we are not here, we must be at peace, as we will surely arrive at this destination if we have the desire.”

Lay apostles, when others speak about past sins, don't judge or criticize them if they are trying to get back on the path to Christ.  Show them through Scripture or the Volumes or some sort of spiritual literature the love Jesus freely gives no matter the transgressions . . . as long as we ask His forgiveness and truly leave sinful behaviors behind. And more importantly, accept His forgiveness by letting go of the guilt or shame.  Remember Divine Mercy . . . Jesus, I trust in You!

Thank you, Lord, for bulking up my spiritual muscles! I am an open vessel to do Your Will. Please keep those who judge and criticize in Your loving hands, giving them the power to draw others to You instead of shoving them toward the enemy.

God bless,
Bonnie