originally posted MONDAY, JULY 23,
2012
'Thank
you.' and 'I'm
sorry.'
I was
thinking in adoration tonight about all the problems in the world and
these two little phrases. They are two of the most powerful weapons against
evil -and two of the most underused phrases in our world today. Let's look at
these a little closer:
'Thank
you.' -simple gratitude for the gifts God has
given to us, as well as gifts or gestures of love others have offered to us.
Not focusing on what we don't have or on what others do have (and judging
whether or not they should), we ought to simply be grateful for
all the gifts God has shared with our very unique persons, families, etc.
according to the personal vocations we each have embraced. Thankfulness is a
powerful tool against negativity, self-pity, judgmentalness
and complaining -and it spurns us to be selfless, sacrificial and generous
ourselves. Simply thanking people for their kindness spurns us on to want
to imitate it and be kind to others as well. Gratitude spreads joy,
for everyone feels better if their acts of love are recognized, accepted and
appreciated. 'Thank you' is a form of praise -and praise is a beautiful
weapon to heal relationships and preserve them in love against the whiles of
the dark one set about to divide. We all should try to be more thankful -not
only to God for all His wondrous gifts to us, and not just to the
random neighbor who made us cookies one time (that's easy), but most
importantly to those who are close to us, who serve us day in and day out and
who go unrecognized so often. The fact that Mom can make a warm meal appear on
Sunday afternoon regardless of the fact that 40 of her 60 guests were
'surprises' calling after 2pm -that is really worthy of praise! Or the fact
that your husband skipped his favorite TV show to make sure the
kitchen was cleaned (even though he had a horrible day at the office and is
absolutely exhausted) -that also is a gesture of love that should be
appreciated! Or the fact that your 5-year-old poured milk for everyone at lunch
(even if some spilled all over the floor) -her loving heart should be
encouraged! 'Thank you' does that -it encourages goodness and makes people
happy -which makes people inspired to acts of virtue and love -which spreads
peace.
'I'm
sorry.' -This one's a little harder... and yet
if you think 'thank you' was powerful, you ain't seen nothing yet about
the power of these little words! Humility. Yup, I'm
talking to you... each one of us needs to grow in humility because none of us
are as humble as Mary or Jesus crucified. And that is what we are called to be
as Christians -humble -authentic -full of Truth and Love. Just think a moment
of how much your little house could be transformed if every time someone hurt
another, or sinned against another, they recognized it (not making excuses or
trying to puff themselves up -but truly admitted that they did something wrong)
and apologized. 'I'm sorry' means 'I love you more than myself, more
than my pride that wants me to pretend right now that I am right and perfect.' 'I'm
sorry' in itself is a reminder to us who say it, that we too need forgiveness
-and so we should quickly forgive those who seem to sin against us. Each one of
us has faults and sins -and for these most of us go regularly to Confession.
But what if there was a small group -in our family, for example, or workplace,
or school -who were committed to truly seeking holiness? You know, that 'narrow
way' Jesus talks about? Do you realize how such a commitment of even
a few could change the entire world? All you would need for such a quest for
holiness (as Jesus calls us to embrace) is true sacrificial, authentic Love
-which has the foundation of humility. Beginning a life of holiness is pretty
easy -just admit in humility when you are wrong or weak or hurtful (even
unintentionally), ask forgiveness, and ask for strength from God to not fall in
such a way again. All we need to do to spread authentic holiness and
virtue is readily admit when we have been controlling, selfish, possessive,
prideful, untruthful, lazy, etc. and to apologize -not only from God, but from
each other! Simply by embracing humility -which in its precise definition is
simply 'truth' -relationships could be mended, grudges could be forgiven, world
peace could be accomplished and God could pour out abundant spiritual gifts
(for He only dares do that in a soul who is humble and will use such gifts for
His glory.) My two years in Siberia taught me that the union of the Eastern and
Western Churches could happen quite quickly if people would just live true
humility.
How
the world would be changed if people would just use these two phrases more
often... daily... as a habit. Simply say 'thank you' when someone gives you (or
more importantly does) something nice -even if its not the cup you wanted or
the idea you had in your head... let go of your own plan and simply recognize
and receive other's love in gratitude. And admit your fault (whether you are a
sibling, parent, child, priest, teacher or friend) by asking forgiveness on a
regular basis from those you may hurt (either from a willed action, as well as
simply by accident.)
Love
is a powerful weapon to change the world. It is patient and kind, never
jealous, possessive (of people or items) or boastful -but it also is never
rude. 'Thank you's' and 'I'm sorry's' are just plain Christian. And when I look
at the whole big picture of this crazy world, I simply think it would be much
better off if more of these 'polite words' were shared between people.
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