We Need More Grace

I’m a Christian, I don’t hesitate to admit it.  I’m a Catholic, take it as you will.  Regardless of those facts, I am not nearly a perfect person, I can’t claim that I haven’t sinned and I regret a lot of things I’ve done out of ignorance and impulse.  One issue I struggle with as a Christian, and I think it plagues many, is the inability to speak out of grace and love when I’m frustrated with the way things are going or if I feel that I have to defend myself or an issue that I care about.  I think about it a lot because every time I fail to speak out of love, I am failing Christ’s teachings and the Bible.  I’m a subscriber of the “red letters” of the Bible, the words of Christ and the message of love that applies to all people, not just fellow Christians.  But somehow, I still find it difficult to be loving in times of controversy or when under attack.  Don’t get me wrong, I do bite my tongue a lot, but it seems that silence isn’t good enough.  Instead of anger or silence, shouldn’t we be contributing something positive? I mean, isn’t that what Christ would hope for? If we look at His words throughout the New Testament He speaks out against injustice, but all the while speaking with love and using thoughtful, tailored parables to help others to understand God’s plan.  So, if Christ has already set the example and we know what to do, why is it so difficult?

I’ve wondered this so many times …why does evil exist…why do people hurt each other? But I think internalizing these questions and framing them at ourselves can be much more difficult.  As Christians, do we hold ourselves to the higher standards that we expect from so many other individuals or are we failing to take account for our own actions?  I think a little harder…what is it that separates Christians from everyone else in the world?…one thing…Christ.  With that being said, shouldn’t we put His words first? I have to internalize this question again…shouldn’t I be putting His words first?  Just how often to I spend time doing His works? Yes, I pray, I go to church, I speak out…but what am I contributing to make the world a better place?

I think the most important message that Christ has left for us, is that of love.  His words are ones of justice and compassion, they speak truths about our weaknesses, but don’t hold grudges against us for them.  I think that’s what we should also expect of ourselves in relation to each other.  Now, actually living these words is a completely different story.  Life is busy, people are obnoxious, situations are stressful…so what are we to do?

I think it’s important to keep bits of inspiration in our everyday lives.  It’s easy to lose sight of the big picture in the daily grind, but individuals like Mahatma Ghandi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa and so many more ACTIVISTS serve as reminders that the way to make the world a better place and demonstrate Christ’s message is by loving and helping others.