M
Munda_cor_meum
Guest
As Catholics we are often criticized for debating “trivial” issues when there are larger, more important things to be worried about.
We debate whether holding hands during the Our Father is appropriate while thousands of tsunami victims are suffering.
We worry about the translation of the words of consecration (“for all” or “for many”?) while millions are falling into apostasy.
We passionately defend communion on the hand or communion on the tongue ignoring those who have nothing to eat.
I wonder though. Is this criticism justified? Given that very few of us will be called on to be heroes, what better way to show our love for God than to live our every day, monotonous lives according to His will?
Part of me certainly wants to address the big and important issues, but I cannot help but wonder if this desire is for His glorification or my own. There certainly much peace and wisdom in the attitude that if we take care of the small things, the larger thing will take care of themselves.
For every George Washington, many soldiers quietly do their duty.
For every St. Athanasious, many try their very best to worship God as He wishes.
For every Mother Theresa, many try to just be kind to and respectful of their neighbor.
So no, I do not think the criticism is justified. Certainly, focusing on the small things to the exclusion of all others ignores that we may, in fact, be called upon to step up our efforts. On the other hand, there will always be something else that is more important or more urgent. If the focus is exclusivly on the “big issues”, we end up doing nothing.
We debate whether holding hands during the Our Father is appropriate while thousands of tsunami victims are suffering.
We worry about the translation of the words of consecration (“for all” or “for many”?) while millions are falling into apostasy.
We passionately defend communion on the hand or communion on the tongue ignoring those who have nothing to eat.
I wonder though. Is this criticism justified? Given that very few of us will be called on to be heroes, what better way to show our love for God than to live our every day, monotonous lives according to His will?
Part of me certainly wants to address the big and important issues, but I cannot help but wonder if this desire is for His glorification or my own. There certainly much peace and wisdom in the attitude that if we take care of the small things, the larger thing will take care of themselves.
For every George Washington, many soldiers quietly do their duty.
For every St. Athanasious, many try their very best to worship God as He wishes.
For every Mother Theresa, many try to just be kind to and respectful of their neighbor.
So no, I do not think the criticism is justified. Certainly, focusing on the small things to the exclusion of all others ignores that we may, in fact, be called upon to step up our efforts. On the other hand, there will always be something else that is more important or more urgent. If the focus is exclusivly on the “big issues”, we end up doing nothing.