Better Choices - Better Results

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Better Choices - Better Results”

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

This past Tuesday was the seventeenth anniversary of the World Trade Center tragedy. How the world has changed, and, sadly, not for the better! Why is that? There is a saying that goes like this, “If you always do what you always have done, you will always get what you’ve already got”. So, if we keep eating the cheesecake, we won’t be happy when we step on the scale! Makes perfect sense, doesn’t it.

 Therefore, when it comes to understanding and solving the problems in our world, our communities, our families, we need a different mindset than fighting fire with fire, or punching back harder when someone strikes us. We need a higher level of thinking to find real solutions. Einstein, genius that he was, said it this way, “Problems cannot be solved with the same mind set that created them”. The problems of our world, our communities, and our families are our problems. We have no one to blame but ourselves for the bitter results of our poor choices. Real solutions to any problem that ails us demand that we pursue alternate and elevated way of thinking as Einstein so eloquently noted.

For us who center our faith in Christ, today’s gospel gives us insight into finding a solution to any problem we face, large or small. Jesus tells Peter, “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do”. Our thinking remains base, seeking only what is best for ourselves. Fueled by desires that are too often primitive and self-centered, we fight with one another to obtain more for ourselves at the expense of others. That’s true for individuals, communities, and nations as well. Have you been to a budget meeting lately? There isn’t enough to go around, or so the elected officials lead you to believe.

The essence of Jesus teaching is Love. Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself. Simple, yet this is the challenge of a lifetime. Love as Jesus loved: selflessly, unconditionally, without ulterior motive or even a desire to be loved in return. Love that forgives all injuries, infidelities, idolatries.  It is called agape, where Jesus empties Himself because of His complete and total love of God and love for us. This is the way God, Abba, thinks, acts, and IS. 

Change the way we think, act, and approach our problem from our way to God’s ways and we will find not only the solution to our problems but those of our families, our communities, and our world.

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom