23 OCTOBER 2024
One of the things I am noticing more and more among people is that their lives are consistently governed by things beyond their control, and as a result, they find themselves unhappy with what they must do, while also being annoyed by what they are not able to do. Many people tell me they feel trapped by a grind of life they cannot change. It leads to a state of constant restlessness and unfulfillment, and it is a state of being which is dangerous for mental health if it continues for too long.
Not long ago someone was sharing with me all of the requirements that their extended family was placing upon them. Due to the demands of work, coupled by the cultural expectations of senior members of the family, as well as the large nature of the family and the growing number of birthdays, graduations, and marriages, this person found they had no time for self-care or self-growth. Their doctor recently expressed concern due to a multitude of poor results from a physical, which finally happened after many years. But more than all of this, this person expressed regret that family, culture, work, and health concerns prevented them from giving the time to go deeper in their faith. Finding time to intentionally read the scriptures or attend a weekday mass regularly was a luxury for which they longed.
The stewarding of the lives that God gives us may bring us into conflict with work, family, and other obligations. For instance, the phrase "family first" has been popular on the continent for decades, and it is a phrase that has made inroads into these islands too. Family is important, but remember, if the family is dysfunctional, one puts family first at their own peril. We have all had countless conversations locally about the psychological damage that the "family first" doctrine inflicts on people.
The reality is that for most of us, there will never be the perfect time to grow in the faith. There will always be obstacles. Family, work, and other obligations will always present challenges to attending a special mass or Bible study, and there will never be the perfect time to start practicing a holy habit such as stewardship or outreach to the needy. My advice is to upset the forces that control your life, and make room for the faith you want to practice. Sometimes we must welcome chaos for the sake of holiness.
Ultimately we want our faith to form our vision in this life and the next. As Christians we place our faith first, and our devotion to family, culture, work, and health is framed by our faith in Jesus Christ. This Sunday's Gospel is the story of the blind beggar Bartimaeus, who even though he is blind, has superior vision than the disciples regarding Jesus. Bartimaeus says to Jesus, "Teacher, let me see again." Bartimaeus' words are words of wisdom that all of us must say again and again. We continually need our vision restored so that we may responsibly steward the lives God gives us.
Father Paul Lillie +
