Ahhh! The Easter season. I love it: buds peeking their way through the cold damp ground, longer days, and milder weather. It’s almost as if everyone comes out of hiding from the dark winter and into the brighter days of spring.
Hope springs forth anew! To me, it seems our souls get a facelift during Easter, but after a while we fall into the same old habits. This is why we must continue our Journey during and after the Easter season. We should continually work on these blemished places in our souls.
In Pope Francis’ Papal Message for Lent this year, he warns us not to become indifferent toward others.
“Usually when we are healthy and comfortable, we forget about others (something God the Father never does); we are unconcerned with their problems, their sufferings and the injustices they endure…Our heart grows cold,” he states.
Our Holy Father further explains that “God is not indifferent to the world; he so loved it that he gave us his own Son for our salvation.” To me this means, therefore, we must not be indifferent to others or apathetic toward ourselves. The pope calls us to an “interior renewal” to avoid complacency.
It is much easier to focus on my own corner of the world, than my neighbour in need; my co-worker grieving; or another who again tells me their litany of complaints! It is easy, but frankly, it is boring! My life takes on more meaning when I care for the “least of these.” (Matt. 25:40)
Recall the story of Jesus’s disciples who told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” His response? “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” (Luke 8:20-21)
We are all the hands and feet of Christ. Yes, caring may mean it cuts into my free time; costs money; or gets our fingernails dirty! However, it is worth it since we are called to be Christ to the world!
I learned this lesson at a heart-warming place called Port Ministries on Chicago’s southside. We served food to the poor, babysat neighborhood children, taught them crafts and songs, etc. However, it was the moms of these children who taught me a lesson.
The women were so grateful that their children had a safe place to play that they served us. With their huge smiles they swept the front of the dust laden porch and sidewalk, unafraid of lurking gang activity. They just wanted to say thank you! I was so humbled that day.
You don’t have to look far to find “your brother” – he is right near you. Sometimes, “your brother” is you! At times in our lives we forget to be loving toward ourselves — not the selfish love of today’s world, but a true concern for God’s creation which includes you!
At times we need to scale back on our volunteering because it is not giving us an “interior renewal,” we are just rushing from one event to the next without God’s direction. Sometimes, we need to take time out for a boost – spiritual rest, physical rest, or mental rest. Good spiritual direction and prayer to the Holy Spirit can tell us when we need to retreat to a quiet place. Jesus did the same. (Luke 6:12) We will then be more effective in God’s kingdom.
In his Lenten address Pope Francis, refers to Pope Emeritus Benedict and a formation of the heart.
“A merciful heart does not mean a weak heart. Anyone who wishes to be merciful must have a strong and steadfast heart, closed to the tempter, but open to God. A heart which lets itself be pierced by the Spirit so as to bring love along the roads that lead to our brothers and sisters.”
Let’s blow the cinders of our closed and lukewarm hearts and live like Christ. “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Luke 12:49)
Copyright 2015, Mary Mitchell
Mary Mitchell
Mary Mitchell, from Chicago, is a devout Catholic who likes to mix the divine truth with humor. She thinks it's the only way we can get through this life! Mary is the mother of three and has been married to her husband, Philip, more than 20 years. She has attempted to live the vows as a Secular Franciscan for about 20 years, but has a long way to go.
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