HOW DOES THE WORLD SEE US?

[1]A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside. 

"That laundry is not very clean," she said. "She doesn’t know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap." Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments. About one month later, the woman was surprised to see nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this."

The husband said, "I got up early this morning and Cleaned our windows." What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look. 

Christmas is getting pretty close, next weekend, we’re all making lists and checking them twice and figuring out what do we still have to do. How does the world see us in our final preparations for the coming of the Promised One? In today’s gospel, John the Baptist is heralding the coming of the Christ, yet not all who hear the Good News rejoice. Instead John must defend who he is and justify why he baptizes if he is not one of the three expected authoritative figures of the Christ, Elijah, or Moses, the Prophet (Jn 1:25). Jesus too, will later have to explain his authority to these same religious representatives (Jn 7:32; 11:47) culminating in his self-identifying statement, “I am” (Jn 8:58).[2]

I saw a quote the other day, “Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.” It made me think of my life and of the many people that I’ve encountered in the many jobs and environments of my life. I’ve seen my share of disrespect, bullying, harassment, selfishness, neglect, physical & mental abuse, and abuse of authority at every level within and outside of the church. More importantly, it was cause for me to do a self-check and reflect how others might see my own behaviors through their window panes, not just in my Christmas preparations, but as a Christian. When people look at us, how clean is our laundry? How do they see us as we live our everyday lives, or how we respond to the joy of others or the stressors and sufferings of the world around us? What do they see, no matter what the condition of their own window pane?

Today, on Gaudete Sunday, we are called to “rejoice!” Yet, with all the pain and suffering in our families, community, nation and world. For God’s sake how are we to rejoice!? Are we supposed to just tell ourselves, “Suck it up buttercup,” “to look on the bright side of the pain & suffering, so and so has it much worse,” or “are you told to just offer it up and keep on swimming?” I don’t think this is the message St. Paul is revealing when he calls us to “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess 5:16-18). Joy is a much deeper virtue, that finds its foundation in the knowledge that we are loved by God. For Christians, the knowledge that Jesus has been raised from the dead is a constant cause for joy, even in tough times. This does not mean that suffering does not bring sadness. Of course, it does, but suffering does not get the last word—in Jesus’ life nor in ours. It’s this knowledge that can lead us to an even deeper joy.[3]

An important key to St. Paul’s suggestion is that all three parts of this triad of Christian practices are bound together. Joy springs forth from gratitude. When we recall things, events or people for which and for whom we are grateful, our joy increases. Prayer also supports the other two virtues. A contemplative awareness of the world and an attitude of prayerful attentiveness, make it easier to see life’s blessings. Finally, joy moves us to gratitude. Thus, each virtue supports the other in a complex spiritual interplay. Prayer awakens gratitude, gratitude leads to joy, and joy moves us to prayer.[4]

How does the world see us? To paraphrase Blessed Louis Brinsson, O.S.F.S, founder of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: We are a reprint of the Gospel, day by day, with our flesh and blood. What are we? We are living Gospels who heal and offer liberty to people held captive in any way, by announcing God’s favor so all people can sing with Mary: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” (Lk 1:46)

When we live St. Paul’s admonitions to pray without ceasing, always give thanks, retain what is good, and refrain from evil, we make straight the way of the Lord and show others how to do so. What are we? Children of God, Christ-bearers who have every reason to “Rejoice always!” (1 Thess 5:16)

[1] New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition © 1986.  Scriptures:  Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

[2] Living the Word, Year of Mark, by Laurie Brink, O.P. & Paul Colloton, O.S.F.S © 2017.  World Library Publications, Franklin Park, IL.

[3] Sundays with Jesus, Reflections for the Year of Mark, by James DiGiacomo, S.J. © 2008.  Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ.

[4] Sick, and You Cared For Me © 2014. Clear Faith Publishing, LLC, Princeton, NJ. “Rejoice always” by Fr. James Martin, S.J.