Life As it Should Be

Life As it Should Be

When we are born the moment our tiny and frail body emerges into the world there are a number of specialists surrounding us and caring from our first breath.  Of course for most the immediate care is never a problem, but there are far too many that will not receive that attention.  However, that tiny helpless bundle of joy deserves all the attention that is possible and with it will begin a journey into an unknown existence for them.  The future will contain pleasure and pain.  It will experience love and hate.  Into their tiny life will emerge joy and disappointment.  Unfortunately, that seems to be the direction each one must endure.

God never desired for anyone to miss the grace he has in store for all his children.  We look at young children today and notice how quickly they learn, picking up characteristics from what they hear and see, especially from mom and dad.  For the most part what they learn is good and imprints a model in their brain.  

What happens as adolescence enters the picture and you hear the four letter words from their vocabulary wondering where did they hear that.  But even before there are school experiences words like no and selfish clutches with toys appear which make us wonder where these movements came from.

It’s as if something beyond our understanding becomes a challenge attempting to figure the nuances of strange behavior with our once angelic child.  Don’t get too self-obsessed with ourselves forgetting we also were once young and presented similar signs as we were growing up and challenging the world we were entering into.

The Old Testament Scriptures are full of examples that God had to put up with as the Hebrew nation continually disobeyed God by rejecting his generosity.  Like a young child reaching maturity with a history of no’s and selfishness, learning through difficulties the no’s should be obedience and respect, so the Hebrews needed a lesson, (lessons) as well.  

From the reflections I wrote for the Sundays of Lent, a common scenario takes place among the prophets continually correcting God’s people to accept his grace through obedience.

If we would adhere to the experience of these prophets’ teaching and listen to the words Jesus taught us through his ministry, the adolescence of our children today might begin to stir in their minds and perhaps today the lives we have will make all the difference throughout the world.  

As we continue to contemplate what the essence of the Paschal Mystery entails and what the picture of three crosses on Golgotha represent, I believe each of us will see life as it should be.

Ralph B. Hathaway, Life to the fullest.