Greetings in Christ,
There is the way I should very much like the world to be, and there is the way the world is. Like the verse from one of our hymns dreams; "Where charity and love prevail, there God is ever found; brought here together by Christ's love, by love we thus are bound." the dream is a world filled with charity and love. What we have seems to be a world overwhelmed by self-centeredness, greed, lust, anger, and hate. Another senseless murder in the news last week, public leaders of every level spewing all manner of anger and hate toward those who disagree. Our society wanting the freedom of individual sexual expression and then stunned by what that 'freedom' brings into the lives of others. I could go on and on, but that is the path to despair.
Few are giving the opportunity of changing the whole world, but all of us have the opportunity of being the Light of Christ where we are. All of us who follow Jesus can ask the Holy Spirit to so guide our lives that each day becomes an opportunity to live more fully in Jesus. We have the opportunity to love those around us as we have been loved in Him. The is a selfless love that seeks only the blessing of others. This love does not seek personal gain or advantage over others who are made in God's image. We have the opportunity to live in Christian charity, that is to refuse to let the poison of hate, anger, and lust rule our lives. Rather in charity toward others, we see them as precious and priceless Children of our Father in Heaven.
We may not be able to transform the entire world, but we can become a Light of God's charity and love where we are.