I am always fascinated by the lives of the Saints. Their every day role in society, their struggles, needs, and shortcomings, are so much like that of today’s every day people.
“Stephen died as Jesus did: falsely accused, brought to unjust condemnation because he spoke the truth fearlessly. He died with his eyes trustfully fixed on God, and with a prayer of forgiveness on his lips. A “happy” death is one that finds us in the same spirit, whether our dying is as quiet as Joseph’s or as violent as Stephen’s: dying with courage, total trust and forgiving love.” ( resource AmericanCatholic.org)
With so much of the worlds problems focusing on Religion, who’s right, who’s Doctrine is wrong, who this, who that, it is easy to see why brothers fight against brothers – nation against nation.
While I am a Roman Catholic, I embrace everyone, no matter what religion, race, sexuality, political views, or even if one does not believe in God.
To me, I follow by two standards in life. Those being …..
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. ~ Matthew 7 1:4 ~
To me, this means, to never judge anyone on what they do, how they live or who they are. That is not up to me. Only God can pass judgement. Some people have said to me, “Well, if you are a true Catholic, you should support the Doctrine of the Church.” Well, yes, I do, but you see, this is what makes a “scary kind of Catholic.” People who may even have the slightest interest in the Roman Catholic Church will take that kind of ‘view from other Catholics’ and turn away completely from the Church. Just love people for who they are. Nothing else matters. Let God handle what God handles. Just love, judge less, pray for that person, always.
The second standard I live by is much like the first ….
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” ~ John 13:34
….. and again … just love people for who they are. Accept them. I sometimes wonder what the world would be like if we just accepted our brothers and sisters for who they are while always praying for their conversion. Let people learn by not saying anything, but by seeing your peace and they will want to know what is it that makes you – you.
I hope we all make it.
Reality Meets Faith 