Sometimes the people close to us, our friends and colleagues and at times even our family, can be oblivious to who we are. We tend to see people on the surface – by what they do, how they look, how they dress and act - and can overlook the deeper qualities that make them who they really are. Though it’s difficult, if not impossible, to get into someone’s head and heart to really know what they are thinking and feeling (and why), one would think those closest to us in a friend, colleague and/or family relationship would have the wisdom to at least be supportive and understanding – especially when things “go wrong” in our life.
Example: Imagine the woman (or man) who has just experienced the death
of a dear loved one. Their emotions can be all over the place and their words and actions can appear out of character to us on the “outside”. She (or he) returns to work and life feeling raw, devastated, exhausted…grieving…and are met with a variety of responses. Some people in her (or his) life may wonder, even out loud, “Why don’t you just get over it?” Some may not even acknowledge the person’s loss and grief and ignore the person all together. Others may simply do everything they can to avoid any contact with the person. And yes, there are some, if only one, who is there willing to listen, support and try to understand all that is going on on the inside. We really cannot judge a book by its cover. We have to open the pages – our eyes and heart and take a closer look at what is hidden deep inside – to begin to understand who this person is now; this person who finds every fiber of their being screaming with pain, a deep sense of loss, and may be silently saying "I am in need at times to be alone and at other times to have the company of a sympathetic, empathetic, supportive, compassionate listening ear". It’s a sad truth that when times get tough in life we find out who our true friends are. All major life changes, be it a death, loss or change of employment, the kids growing up and leaving home, etc. affect us at a deep level and...if we think about it, will cause us to ask ourselves, "Who am I now?"
The gospel this weekend begins with one of those “I am” statements of Jesus so familiar to the gospel according to John (John 6:51). The “I am” statements are, in simple terms, the author’s way of revealing and asserting Jesus’ true and divine identity. Many of the people of the time, “the Jews” in John’s words, apparently are able only to see Jesus on the surface – who he is as a person based on where he came from (Nazareth) and who his earthly family is. But there is so more to the “book” that is Jesus, as with all of us, than what is outwardly seen. His invitation is to dig deeper, gain understanding, and find in him – his words, actions, and who he really is – the very life-giving sustenance we all truly desire.
Are we willing and able to set aside our judgments of others based on what we see on the outside in order to recognize the whole person for who they are: one who is so deeply loved by our Sacred Creator and who, like all of us, at times is in need of understanding and gentle care?
Peace on the Journey
No comments:
Post a Comment