This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
Sometimes we can see two artificial camps emerge among Catholics–for the purpose of this reflection, we can call them the “Here Belows” and the “There Aboves.”
The Here Belows may forget about Heaven as they pursue justice on this earth. In this, perhaps, they share much with our secular age. From every Bible passage, they may draw only lessons about rectifying income imbalances, improving health care, and promoting the causes of those traditionally underprivileged in our society–for example, minority races, women, and the materially less fortunate. They may make the error of looking to government for the solution, rather than to personal generosity and magnanimity.
The There Aboves equate religion to reaching Heaven, no matter what happens here below. They focus on practices of prayer and the sacraments, and may scrupulously follow the rules. These, however, may run the risk of arrogance and pride, and a grave neglect of charity and even simple kindness to neighbor. They may not engage in making the world a better place, except perhaps by dictating to others what rules they must follow.
Today’s first reading is a marvelous appeal to both groups. It is God who is speaking and indicating what is pleasing and not pleasing to Him–and thus, there is an implicit focus on salvation, on the eternal. But what He is emphasizing is that empty, sterile self-denial is not what pleases Him–but rather, kindness and self-giving to neighbor, particularly those less fortunate.
We may become exasperated. How can we cover all the bases? How can we be passionate about the welfare of the less fortunate to the point that we really take action for their benefit, while also keeping our eyes on Heaven, and caring even more about the eternal salvation of our brothers and sisters?
The answer is simple, albeit not easy: We must take on the Heart of Christ. He spent days healing the sick, not just as a sign, but because (as the Gospel tells us on many occasions) he was moved deeply to pity for them. At the same time, concerned for eternal salvation, He preached hard messages about seeking the narrow path, and how for the purpose of reaching Heaven, mediocrity will not do. And He did not pull punches when it came to defending the truth.
And as a criterion for being one of the “sheep” who reach Heaven, rather than one of the “goats” who are condemned, He issues one single yardstick: Kindness and care for those in need.
We cannot be a true “There Above” without developing a Heart like Christ’s, with deep concern for the earthly and eternal welfare of our brothers and sisters. And, we cannot be a true “Here Below” without developing a Heart like Christ’s, orienting everything we do for others ultimately to the aim of eternal salvation.
Let us use the greatest means available to us to develop this Christ-like heart: Prayer and the sacraments.
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Make a bold request to Jesus to transform your heart fully to be like His: “Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make my heart more like Yours.” Ask Him to put you through whatever purification is necessary to inflame your heart with ardent love for His people, the same love that He has.
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