the road to emmaus

Today my thoughts turned to something completely inane—the television show “Extreme Makeover—Home Edition.” I cry every week while watching this show. I cry at the tragic events that befall these families. It is a deep, profound sorrow that reaches down to the depths of my heart. I feel as though their troubles are my own. I don’t know these people personally, but my grief for them is as sincere as if they were my own family.

And at the end of each show, I cry with tears of real joy as they (almost always) praise God for the intervention of the designers and builders. Another thing that impresses me about the show is the compassion of the families’ friends and neighbors in helping get the homes built in 7 days. This show is a testament to faith and works in action. But, why do I cry? And why is my grief so severe? And why are my tears of joy so overwhelming, almost to the point of embarrassment?

Could it be that we truly are the Body of Christ? That we are all somehow joined mystically to one another through Jesus Christ by our baptism? It seems so simple to me sometimes, but I know that it is much more complex than this. I think the key to understanding some of these principles is using the free will and the gifts of intelligence and reasoning that God gave us to recognize when the Holy Spirit is speaking to us and listening prayerfully to His advice.

Romans 12: 5 - 16
So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.