“After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’”
Observing people while avoiding judgment can be a valuable lesson in growing one’s own virtues. On a recent business trip, I noted how fewer people seem to embrace a heart like Jesus. Yes, I know how dangerously close that statement is to judging, especially when only God knows the hearts of men, but what dwells within should be evident in our behavior. Again, I am speaking to myself!
One particularly upsetting moment took place on the flight home. Sitting across the aisle—a young mother with a toddler on her lap. In front of them, a middle-aged gentleman fixated on his phone. The child slept for the first half of the flight and awoke with renewed energy. Facing his mother, his back on the man’s seat, I am sure the older passenger was jolted by his seat being pushed forward more than a few times. We seem to forget another human is on the other side of the headrest. This inconsideration, however, could never justify his seemingly retaliatory behavior of flinging his seat back into a reclined position, striking the child in the head with the rigid plastic media holder. Angry words were exchanged, as you can imagine, and my heart sank for the loss of common courtesy and the ability to communicate with kindness. In short, to be Jesus in the world, I must walk daily through that narrow door of Christian living and love.
Our lower nature battles too often against our desire to do good, fueled by a society that says you deserve to be first and get everything you want; don’t be pushed around. Jesus, the epitome of meekness and humility, calls us to embrace this more difficult path because it comes with the greatest reward. Many will strive to enter, but not all will be strong enough, especially if they rely on themselves and do not lean on the grace of God! The bottom line is that God never asks for the impossible.
As I sat waiting to disembark the plane, the boy’s father stood in the aisle, with his coat repeatedly hitting me. I politely pointed out what I knew he was unaware was happening. He apologized, the behavior ceased, and we left the plane content. Would I have taken this gentle approach had I not witnessed the earlier exchange? I’d like to say yes, but I know myself better than that. Pray, as you observe any situation that upsets you, for every heart involved to be softened, molded to Christ’s, especially your own.
“Cuando el dueño de la casa se levante de la mesa y cierre la puerta, ustedes se quedarán afuera y se pondrán a tocar la puerta, diciendo: ‘Señor, ábrenos’. Pero él les responderá: ‘No sé quiénes son ustedes’.”
Observar a las personas evitando juzgarlas puede ser una valiosa lección para desarrollar las propias virtudes. Durante un viaje de negocios reciente, me di cuenta que cada vez menos personas parecen abrazar un corazón como el de Jesús. Sí, sé que esta afirmación parece peligrosamente cerca de juzgar, especialmente cuando solo Dios conoce los corazones de los hombres, pero lo que habita en el interior debería ser evidente en nuestro comportamiento. De nuevo, ¡me estoy hablando a mí mismo también!
Un momento particularmente perturbador tomó lugar en el vuelo de regreso a casa. Sentada al otro lado del pasillo, una madre joven tenía un niño pequeño en sus piernas. En frente de ellos había un señor de mediana edad, absorto en su teléfono. El niño durmió durante la primera mitad del vuelo y se despertó con energías renovadas. De cara a su madre, de espaldas al asiento del hombre, estoy segura de que el pasajero mayor se amargó cuando su asiento fue empujado hacia adelante más de unas pocas veces. Parece que nos olvidamos de que hay otro ser humano al otro lado del asiento. Sin embargo, esta falta de consideración nunca podría justificar su comportamiento aparentemente vengativo de arrojar su asiento hacia atrás en una posición reclinada, golpeando al niño en la cabeza. Se intercambiaron palabras de enojo, como se puede imaginar, y mi corazón se hundió por la pérdida de la cortesía común y la capacidad de comunicarse con amabilidad. En resumen, para ser Jesús en el mundo, debo atravesar diariamente esa puerta estrecha de la vida y el amor cristianos.
Nuestra naturaleza inferior batalla con demasiada frecuencia contra nuestro deseo de hacer el bien, alimentada por una sociedad que dice que mereces ser el primero y obtener todo lo que quieres; no te dejes empujar. Jesús, el epítome de la mansedumbre y la humildad, nos llama a abrazar este camino más difícil porque viene con la mayor recompensa. Muchos se esforzarán por entrar, pero no todos serán lo suficientemente fuertes, especialmente si confían en sí mismos y no se apoyan en la gracia de Dios. La conclusión es que Dios nunca pide lo imposible.
Mientras esperaba para desembarcar del avión, el padre del niño estaba de pie en el pasillo, golpeándome repetidamente con su abrigo. Le señalé cortésmente lo que claramente no sabía que estaba sucediendo. Se disculpó, el comportamiento cesó y salimos del avión contentos. ¿Habría adoptado este enfoque amable si no hubiera presenciado el intercambio anterior? Me gustaría decir que sí, pero me conozco mejor que eso. Reza, al observar cualquier situación que te moleste, para que todos los corazones involucrados se ablanden, se amolden al de Cristo, especialmente el tuyo.
Allison Gingras (www.ReconciledToYou.com ) shares an everyday Catholic faith with humor and honesty. Her writing includes The Handy Little Guide to Novenas (OSV), Encountering Signs of Faith (Ave Maria Press), and the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women (Our Sunday Visitor), with a new edition “Jesus Heals,” coming in 2025. Allison is the Director of Digital Evangelization for Family Rosary USA.Feature Image Credit: OrnaW, pixabay.com/photos/flight-airplane-passengers-plane-4516478/
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