There was a farmer who grew excellent quality wheat and every
season he won the award for the best grown in his county. One year a reporter
from the local newspaper interviewed the farmer and learned that each Spring
the farmer shared his seed with his neighbors so that they too could plant it
in their fields.
“How can you
afford to share your best wheat seed with your neighbors when they are entering
their crops in the competition with yours?" the reporter asked.
“Why that's very simple,” the farmer explained... "The wind picks up pollen from the developing wheat and
carries it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior wheat,
cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of all the wheat, including
mine. If I am to grow good wheat, I must help my neighbors grow good wheat."
Each of us exudes something every time we’re in the presence
of others, or every time they hear about what we
do. It’s called example, and there are two basic kinds: good and bad. An extremely
good example is called inspiration; the opposite is called scandal.
It’s impossible not to give some kind of
example. Our behavior is a living, mobile billboard advertising our faith, our
Church, our nation, and every community to which we belong. Which is the point
of Paul’s letter to Titus, be “eager to do what is
good.” (Ti 2:14) Avoid
being a contributor of to the often-heard
opinion, “Those
churchgoing people act all pious inside church, but you should see how they
treat and talk about each other after they leave.”[1]
Now I think it is important to note here, how we communicate our Christian values is very important. Just because we use the right words the message can get lost if our tone is condemning or our behaviors fail to affirm our belief in the words we are using. As Christians we use terms of compassion, invitation, mercy, and love. Phrases like, "the Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints." We must live these words and phrases.
Just like St. Pope Leo the Great, whose memorial we celebrate today. He faithfully and unequivocally held to the belief that everything he did and said as pope represented Jesus Christ, and St. Peter, whose Chair he occupied. He focused heavily on the pastoral care of his people. He inspired and helped to foster peaceful resolution to disputes and charitable work in areas of Rome affected heavily by famine, refugees, and poverty. To him, being a Christian was not only about embracing the fullness of the Gospel theologically, but living it out in a world filled with hurt, suffering and needs.[2]
The reporter, in my opening story, realized how the farmer's explanation also applied to peoples' lives in the most fundamental way... Those who want to live meaningfully and well, must help enrich the lives of others, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. This is Eucharist, this is the model Jesus gives us every time we participate in the mystery of His passion, death, and resurrection at Mass.
So, those who choose to be happy and faithful must help others find happiness, to see the beauty of living a faith filled life, because the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.
[1] Weekday
HomilyHelps. Homily Suggestion by Jim Auer.
[2] Catholic Online,
Saints & Angels. St. Leo the Great.
No comments:
Post a Comment