Fixing messes

A stark reality presents itself to those who complete the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola: Jesus didn’t come to the earth to fix us. The earth was a mess when He came and it still was a mess when He left. He healed a few people, cast out some demons, and raised a few people from the dead. But He didn’t fix any of them. They still had to live their day growing in righteousness. They had to battle their vices and sins, let go of self-protective ways that hide their wounds and pain, and take in God’s love. Jesus came to give us salvation, and He chose to do so by showing us what salvation is: an eternity in love. He was the literal embodiment of love into a human nature, for God is love. In His Divinity He was imparting love into the soul of every person, near and far, only restricted to their willingness and capacity to receive Him. He taught us how to live in this love by loving Him and, through Him, loving those around us. In doing so, we grow in this intimacy with the Divine, which we will experience in fullness for eternity in Heaven. 

He didn’t come to fix us. He came to love us. This is the truth of the Christian existence, how we are to live out this pilgrimage on earth as we travel towards Heaven. He wants us to experience this now in our daily life with Him. 

So, if Jesus didn’t come to fix us, why are we so focused on fixing people whom we are sure need to change, and that need to change to meet our expectations?? 

Do not speak evil of one another, brothers. Whoever speaks evil of a brother or judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save or to destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:11-12)

It is said that the things that bother us the most in another person are actually a fault of our own. So, we should each hold the mirror up to ourselves, and with God’s guidance, ask Him to illuminate our own version of that same fault. One of Satan’s hallmarks is negative thinking, and God’s love washes it and him away quite powerfully. 

If Jesus didn’t come to fix me but, rather, to love me, can I accept that? Being vulnerable to others, including God, can be difficult. It seems easier to try to make others change than allow God to lovingly transform us. The knots build up in our stomach and our soul. True freedom is only attained through vulnerability to God. He alone can untie those knots. 

No, God doesn’t fix messes. But He does fix broken hearts. 

And the Sacraments are important to this. Let’s continue to pray for our new Pope Leo XIV, all clergy and religious, and the worldwide Church especially our priests: 

Lord, when the hearts of our priests are overwhelmed,

overwhelm them with your peace.

Lead them to You, our Solace.

Guide them to Your word which gives them strength and refuge.

Help them not to run to lesser things. Draw your priests to run to You first.

Help them to cast their cares upon you, knowing that you care for them.

Replace their fears with faith, their doubts with confidence, and their restlessness with serenity.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen (Archdiocese of Seattle)

(Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay)