RBWords

     Occasionally on retreats or in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, I will challenge retreatants or penitents to ask this question:  Am I living the way I want people to remember me?  This question has to be asked in the context of faith.  We have received a call in baptism to live a life in accord with the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Our baptism is not simply a private agreement between God and ourselves as individuals.  We are called to be "church," the Body of Christ!  This means "other people!"  I once saw a cartoon from "Peanuts" in which Linus says:  "I love humanity.  It's people I hate!"  Do we wish to be remembered as someone who "loved humanity" but couldn't get along with anyone?

     There are three major "crucibles" in which this challenge occurs: home, church and work.  These may indeed overlap occasionally, but can serve as a way of asking ourselves that beginning question.  We can rephrase it to be closer to St. Paul's words:  "Am I living in a manner worthy of the call I have received?"  It is no reply to say, "Nobody's perfect!"  Of course!  This is where forgiveness comes in when we fail in "humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another...!"  We can begin with family - the most intense "crucible!"  This is the "domestic church!"  We can go from there to our parish church.  Is there a "disconnect" between the way we live in family and the way we live in church?  From that we can go to our work.  Is there a "disconnect" there from the way we behave in family or church?   Are we living "in a manner worthy of the call we have received?"  How do we want to be remembered, and by whom?  AMEN