Knitting a Conundrum

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." Romans 15: 1-3 RSV

What a summation of how to live the Christian life! If loving God and loving one's neighbor is the core of how to approach life as a Christian, it has to start with us bearing with one another, living not for ME, but for God and neighbor.

Here's an example: choosing our clothes. It's the current custom in the US that women can wear whatever they feel like and men just need to deal with it. But if we follow St. Paul's advice, we would be careful to choose clothing that is not unwarrantedly distracting, because it hinders, not helps our fellow people (now I'm not talking about wearing burkhas here...more like covering up bear middrifts and not wearing overly tight or short clothes, especially to places like the office or church. )

No matter what way we feel called to dress or behave, we would do well to remember this saying from St. Francis of Assisi to his brothers: Preach the gospel everywhere you go, and if you have to, use words.

Our lives, by our choices in word, action, deed ought to reflect our Christian vocation. Remembering the parable of the servant who was forgiven much, but didn't forgive his fellow servant, we need to realize that these everyday things matter, and matter a lot. The outside world ought to be able to tell we are Christian because of how we live, how we act, how we treat our fellow men. We need to work on being Christ's light, not hidden under a bushel basket, but visible, open, and showing why it's worth being a follower of Jesus.

Labels: Following Jesus, Ways of Holiness