A Thought

“You shall call nations you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you because of the Lord your God, the Holy One, for He has glorified you.”  Isaiah 55:5

“We are called to be, in our very lives, an epiphany of the Lord to those we encounter.”  Cardinal Wuerl

Everything we do and everything we say is a reflection of what is in our hearts (not always a good thing!).  As both writers reflect, however, we should be an accurate representation of the One whom we claim as Savior and Lord.  Not only because we need to be but because we are called to be. 

In light of the most recent shooting in Oregon, it grieves me that there is so much violence; but I think it grieves me more when we overreact – whether in a demand for even tighter gun control laws or in panic and hatred toward those who would violate the safety and innocence of our children.  These are natural and understandable responses, and I think we all share them.  As much as we have tried in our efforts to prevent such tragedies from happening again, they continue.

What do our futile and vain efforts suggest?  That perhaps we have not faithfully turned to the Lord.  Oh, I have no doubts many pray and ask for protection from such needless violence, but when was the last time we as a Body prayed for the Potter to mold and shape us?

As much as there is we can do to prevent future tragedies (and we must do all we can!), there is at least as much we cannot do – and for this we pray; not with glancing thoughts but with devoted time and intensity to first ask the Lord to show us what we need to know and, more importantly, what we need to be, what we must be: a reflection of Him, an epiphany of His mercy and glory.

We can learn from past mistakes, but we can also turn the page on a new chapter in the Church’s history as the epiphany of the Lord.  I believe this is where we must start anew.

Blessings,

Michael