“My Heart is Moved with Pity for the Crowd.”
Familiarity Can Breed Content or Contempt
Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash
Sometimes I am more compassionate, loving and kind to a stranger than I am to those in my family or my closest friends. I wonder why it is easier to honor and respect someone I hardly know than it is to show the same, honor and respect for my husband, family members or close friends?
The ones that our closest to us, we get to know intimately—the good, the bad and the ugly. We see all their faults and shortcomings and sometimes they can 'get under our skin.' They in turn see all our faults and shortcomings and sometimes we get 'under their skin' as well. What are we to do?
How do we turn contempt for each other into being content with each other? For me and for all of us we don't have to look far for the answer. Turn your eyes toward Jesus and see how He loves each of us with our faults and shortcomings. Jesus meets us where we are at and loves us unconditionally warts and all.
Today I will put into practice loving those close to me with an encouraging word or an act of kindness instead of only seeing the things that bug me about them. If by God's grace I can look beyond all the yuck and see the positive qualities, then I am loving as Jesus loves.
It requires a daily effort to honor and respect those close to us with a smile, a hug or a compliment. As we honor those who at times, 'get under our skin', we find that our contempt for them turns into a loving contentment.
Reflection:
Jesus, help me to treat the ones closest to me the way I want to be treated. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12
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About the Author
Connie Beckman resides in Helena Montana with her husband and their dog Chewie and their two cats Heidi and Bailey. A number of years ago, she was the editor and feature story writer for a small bi-weekly newspaper. Connie has been published in a number of Catholic magazines. Margaret Ann Stimatz, Ruth Lloyd, and Connie co-authored a 40-day-reflection booklet entitled: Mercy for Little Souls which contains tidbits about the late Father Stu Long's powerful ministry with quotes from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy In My Soul. Mercy for Little Souls is available at Beyond.227.org. Her desire as a writer is to encourage Catholic spiritual growth by sharing the truths of the faith through the written word addressing a variety of subjects. "Go out to all the world and tell the good news." Mark 16:15.
