Who Will Live in the Presence of the Lord?

“He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord." (Psalm 15, Responsorial Prayer)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines justice as working for equity among people. The full definition makes it clear that our faith obliges us to work for justice – it’s not optional.

This is especially true for those who have won “the birth lottery.” They did so when they “picked” loving parents located in peaceful and reasonably prosperous location that gave them a good start in life.  Some call it “white privilege”, but I’m not convinced only the “whites” enjoy the privilege.  I hate it when someone says, “I did it all myself” because no one succeeds on their own. Sure, you can work hard but you had a huge head start if you “picked” parents who could afford to invest in your future.  Justice demands that we recognize our totally random good fortune rather than taking credit for it.

I’ve never considered that I was born into prosperity or wealth.  If anything, my mother and father fell into the lower middle class, bordering on poverty.  But we also didn’t have to flee our home due to ethnic cleansing or spend 12 years in a camp hoping to go somewhere better. We weren’t threatened with deportation because my parents brought me illegally to the U.S. as a small child, looking for a better life.  So, I guess compared to migrants and refugees, I was born into a possibility of prosperity, if not wealth.

I am so proud of the fact that my children have had the opportunities to pursue their passions and Sarah in particular, has chosen to become an immigration attorney.  Her and Tony’s zeal for justice in the world—especially for refugees and migrants—is a cause for immense joy in my life.

It’s interesting to reflect on the difference between justice and charity (in the secular sense) which is wonderful but optional. Charity (in the secular sense) is buying something that I don’t need to help my granddaughter’s summer project or doing something nice for a friend who has temporarily fallen on hard times. On the other hand, justice demands serious action against social evil – like our government’s inaction towards fair and just handling of refugees and migrants.   

When we perform acts of justice, we’re not being noble.  As the psalmist reminds us, we’re just trying to become worthy to “live in the presence of the Lord.”

Easier Said Than Done

“Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?....seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” Matthew 6:27 & 33-34

As the saying goes, “It's easier said than done.”

I am a worrier. I always have been. I worried about school. I worried about work. I worried about my abilities as a son, a husband, a father. I still worry about my wife, my daughters, my granddaughters. Let's face it, in today's world it's really hard not to worry. 

I think most people are worriers. But for some, it becomes their way of life. Finances, relationships, work, family, health and many other things in life can be the cause of much worrying, fear, anxiety and even depression. I thank God my worrying has never become such a burden that I couldn't cope.

I found out a long time ago that the proper way to deal with the things I worried about is trust. Trust in God, in His fidelity, in His all-consuming love me me, and in His providence. I know He loves me more than I can ever imagine. And He is aware of every detail of every problem I face.

When we truly understand the love of God and His infinite wisdom, we shouldn't have to worry. We should be able to trust and surrender all to Him every day and allow Him to enter into and direct us in hope according to His perfect plan for our lives. But again, this is easier said than done.

Another key factor in overcoming the worries and anxieties of life is to meaningfully seek the Truth. Knowing the truth frees us and it enables us to see the hand of God at work even in the most difficult of situations. God never abandons us even though it may feel like that at times. Even Jesus felt that way for a moment while on the Cross when he asked, “Father, why have You abandoned me?” But it was a passing moment, as a short while later He commended His Soul up to His Father, trusting that He had not been abandoned in his agony.

If we can seek out His voice, His will, His wisdom and His truth, it makes it much easier to place our trust in Him. And when we place our trust in Him, we find peace in our soul and feel the heavy weight of our worry lift away.

I have a couple of sure-fire methods to seek out His truth for me when I am worried or anxious. 

The Rosary is my go-to prayer for instant serenity, especially meditating on the Sorrowful Mysteries. Journeying with Christ through His Passion and death puts my concerns in perspective and many times leads me to constructive steps I can take to alleviate my worry.

Then there is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. If you have never been to an Adoration chapel, I recommend you make a point to go as soon as you can. Even if you don't believe, as Catholics do, that the Eucharist is the actual Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. If you are truly searching, just sit there and listen. Jesus will fill your heart with a peace and love you never imagined possible.

 

Jesus, I trust in You.

Compassion, Humility, Mercy, Forgiveness are not just "Buzz words"!

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (1Peter 3:8)

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7)

Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)

You always read about events in the news and you naively think “Thank God that wouldn’t happen here!”  Well, it happened here.  Yesterday, officers responded to a report of a possible baby in the dumpster. When officers arrived, they met with a citizen who told officers he thought he saw a baby wrapped up inside the dumpster. A newborn baby boy was found alive inside the dumpster and medics transported the baby to an area hospital for treatment.  During their investigation the police located the teenage mother near the scene and was also transported to a hospital for treatment.  The 15-year-old mother of the newborn baby boy is still in the hospital being treated but will be cited for felony child abuse/endangerment and will be released to her parents.

When the story hit, I “shared” it on Facebook, asking for prayers for both the mother and her son.  I also read the comments to see what others would say about the story.  I am frequently puzzled and frankly saddened by the lack of charity in the world today.  Actually, that’s putting it mildly.  It’s not a lack of charity but an abundance of hate, fueled by people who are acting out of fear or ignorance.  Some of the comments were quite graphic in the punishment the young mother should receive, even up to death!  It’s a sad commentary on our society’s morals and value of human life.

I am not defending this young woman for what she’s allegedly done. Child abandonment is wrong and dumping a living, breathing infant is especially egregious. No person should ever have to endure such violations of their person or their dignity, especially a newborn baby. Everyone needs to be treated with compassion and understanding.

At the same time, however, we must be willing to extend compassion and understanding to this new mother as well. We must be willing to see her as maybe a deeply troubled person with mental illness or disordered passions. Don’t forget that Jesus has called us to forgive every person, regardless of their sins!

Let’s not forget what Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 9:13: “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”  I think that clearly, what Jesus tells us in this passage is that we should be showing mercy to one another, regardless of our sins or the stigmas associated with those sins.

We should be asking ourselves, “Why do we seek and want justice? Is it to preserve peace and safety? Or is it because we are hurting because this baby was treated so horrifically, and we want revenge?  In Matthew 7:1-3, Jesus instructs us: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. “

We need to remember that we’re called to love our neighbor as ourselves and be merciful, just as Jesus showed mercy towards all of us by taking on our sins and dying for each and every one of us.

An Impromptu "Exit Interview" 8 Months After Retirement

Every successful company has a “Mission Statement” to help remind them of why they exist and why they are important to society.  One of the objectives stated in U-Haul's most important Management Bulletin is “to improve human lives.”  That one statement was the reason I was able to stay focused on providing the best customer service I could for over 25 years, despite the many aggravations and obstacles that popped up in that time.  Every time I felt discouraged or tempted to quit, I would go back to the noble notion of improving human lives.  I truly believed that is what I was doing.  It’s probably why I rarely argued with a customer (or as we preferred to say—a friend or neighbor) over minor issues and strived to be an advocate for the customer when disputes arose.
  

A key phrase the CEO  made sure we heard at every manager’s meeting each month was “Our families are looking to us for help and certainty”. He was reminding us that we had to be confident in our ability to deliver on what we promised—clean, safe, well-maintained equipment and peripheral services at a cost our customer (families) could afford. And to convey that confidence to the families who were depending on us to help improve their lives.  For the most part, I believe we did. When we didn’t, we did our best to accommodate them in some other way.


Those two words; “help” and “certainty” have been rattling around in my brain all day as I contemplate next Sunday’s Feast of Pentecost. 


At His Ascension, Jesus told the Apostles He would send the Paraclete (the Holy Spirit) to them (us) to teach and comfort them (us). “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” [John 14: 26, 27]


In other words, God the Father sent the Spirit in Jesus' name to “help” (teach) us deal with this world and give us “certainty” (comfort us) in our hope for everlasting life in the presence of Christ in the next world.


I admit that the CEO’s constant mantra of “help and certainty” started to bore me and seem insignificant after the 100th reminder. Who could have foreseen I would be using it after I retired to describe the Holy Spirit’s role in my life? Now I can’t stop repeating it! I can only say thank you, Joe, for being an instrument of the Holy Spirit that dwells in each of us who lets Him in.  And for allowing me to be a member of the U-Haul family and improve human lives for so long.