Transcript:
If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’ll quickly realize how volatile the political climate is right now. There’s hatred coming from all sides. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not immune from having the most uncharitable thoughts about the political views of others. Sometimes it takes everything I have to not respond to certain posts although I’ve gone down those rabbit holes in the past. It’s a challenge for me to keep my cool and debate logically, especially when it comes to pro-abortion posts. We all have our challenges, whether it’s on social media, an ex-husband or wife, a rebellious child, an estranged parent, or politician.
God doesn’t pick and choose whom to love, but we, imperfect human beings do and constantly fail to recognize Christ in the eyes of the unlovable.
Let’s take a closer look at who are the unlovable in our lives. Let’s think of the person or persons who need the most compassion. Who is that one person who needs the most forgiveness? Who is that one person or persons who have failed and fallen many times over? Who is the one who has been an oppressor at times and has done their share of breaking hearts? Who is the one that, had it not been for the grace of God, would be capable of committing the most horrendous sins? Who is that person or persons in your life?
Chances are, you thought of those who have done you the most harm. The ones who have broken your heart many times over. Perhaps the ones who have no regrets for what they have done to you.
We all like to think of ourselves as loving, kind, and forgiving people, who have no prejudices and judgments of others. But let me ask you, when you were thinking of the most unlovable people you know, did you include yourself?
One of the reasons we fail to recognize Christ in the eyes of the unlovable is our lack of humility.
A key virtue that allows us see Christ in the eyes of the unlovable is humility.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta said, “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” And I would like to add, that if we are busy putting ourselves on a pedestal, we also have no time to love others.
So what’s the answer to this spiritual desolation of pride and prejudice? Our Mother Church brings to us all the tools we need to take care of it – the Sacraments, Mass, the Examination of Conscience, the Works of Mercy, Mother Mary, the many forms of prayer, and countless more. But most importantly, it is spending time in prayer and silence with God that will give us more clarity about who we are, our littleness, our frailty, and our human limitations. Plus realizing how, despite our brokenness, God chooses to love us and continually invites us to commune with Him through His endless Love and Mercy.
Titus 3:2-7
“They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another. But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.”
My brothers and sisters in Christ, God is asking you here and now to love the unlovable, beginning with ourselves, and do the same.
Let’s close with a prayer…
Glory Be to the Father…
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus…Have Mercy on Us
Immaculate Heart of Mary…Pray for Us
Saint Joseph…Pray for Us
Saint Teresa of Calcutta…Pray for Us
Saint Padre Pio…Pray for Us
All our Patron Saints…Pray for Us
All our Guardian Angels…Watch Over Us.