Archbishop Rodi of Mobile declares, "Our main mission on earth is not to change the world, it is to save ourselves."

[GratefulDad]

This is a pretty interesting view of the “Change”.

mobilearchdiocese.org/tem…iArticle22.htm

"Change

Can people change? We would certainly admit that we human beings need to change. There is a great deal about us that needs improving. But are we human beings capable of changing?
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It is obvious that, while Jesus called and helped, each person had to respond actively. First, the person had to take responsibility for him/herself. If we wish to change, we cannot blame others for the way we are. It is so easy for us to make excuses for ourselves. It is easy for us to say that we could change if only our spouse would change, if only our children would change, if only our boss would change, if only our neighbors would change, if only he would change, if only she would change, if only the situation would change. And God looks at us and says: “If only you would change.”

Our main mission on earth is not to change the world, it is to save ourselves. It is not to change other people, it is to change ourselves. Each of us can probably look back and remember times and places when life treated us unfairly. But to blame the world for our faults is self destructive. It is an exercise in futility to blame our parents, to blame society, to blame anyone but ourselves.

In the Gospel of John (5:6) Jesus asked a sick man, “Do you wish to be healed?” This may seem a foolish question. However, Jesus wished to know if the man wished to change his life. If the man was healed, he could no longer lie on his mat and feel sorry for himself. He would have to get up, carry his mat, and go forth to live as an active member of society. There was a point to Jesus asking the man: “Do you wish to be healed?”
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Can people change? The real question is: “Can I change?” The answer is emphatically, but conditionally, “Yes.” If we will take responsibility for our own lives, stop blaming others and hold ourselves responsible for what we are; if we heed the call of the One who calls us to follow Him; if we allow the powerful love of God to provide the strength we need for the difficult process of change, then our lives will be changed for the good."

 

[RedGecko]

The link doesn’t work.

I think I disagree, however. We don’t and can’t save ourselves - Christ did and does this for us. As for changing others, human nature is unchangeable and inherently fallible. But we absolutely are responsible for our neighbors. And sometimes this means getting someone to change his or her behavior, attitude or thinking. And this also means we are responsible for creating a more just and moral society. So, yes, bringing change to the world is very much what we are called to practice.

 

[GratefulDad]

Try this:

mobilearchdiocese.org/templates/readtjrarticles.cfm?Article=RodiArticle22.htm

So, Gecko you are taking exception with pretty much everything the Bishop is saying?

 

[RedGecko]

Try this:

mobilearchdiocese.org/templates/readtjrarticles.cfm?Article=RodiArticle22.htm

So, Gecko you are taking exception with pretty much everything the Bishop is saying?

Well, I guess not. I pretty much agree with him, now that I have read his article. He is saying that we have to take responsibility for our lives and not blame others for our own failings. It seems eminently sensible to me.

My only objection is to that sentence which was in the title of the thread: “Our main mission on earth is not to change the world, it is to save ourselves.” But I needed to read that sentence in context to really understand it.

 

[GratefulDad]

Well, I guess not. I pretty much agree with him, now that I have read his article. He is saying that we have to take responsibility for our lives and not blame others for our own failings. It seems eminently sensible to me.

My only objection is to that sentence which was in the title of the thread: “Our main mission on earth is not to change the world, it is to save ourselves.” But I needed to read that sentence in context to really understand it.

Quite.:ehh:

I had to reread it too.