Reflections from the Mission Field: How far are we willing to stoop

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Sometimes I worry about how I look.... okay oftentimes I worry about how I look. Not like the way I look, more like what people think of the way I act or do things. It's only natural, we all worry about the image and impression others have of us. Sometimes though, we obsess over it. I remember an occasion of this that happened to me rather recently. My family and I were walking up the aisle to venerate the crucifix on Good Friday. I was considering how to venerate it on my way, usually I would kiss the feet of Jesus, but this crucifix was very low, I would not be able to reach it without kneeling and bending low. Other people had done this, so I shouldn't have been worried, but I was. Why go to all that trouble? What would people watching think of me? Then I recalled a story of St. Therese. Her mother, Saint Zelie Martin, offered her a prize if she would only kiss the ground. Recalling this memory, St. Therese acknowledged that she had wanted the prize, and that to reach it "she had not far to stoop" but Therese would not kiss the ground. The word "stoop" stuck in my heart. I felt Jesus ask me 

"How far are you willing to stoop for Me?"

 As I reached the cross I "stooped" and kissed the feet of Jesus. That moment has stayed with me throughout this week and I have been able to really reflect on it in a deeper way. How many times have we refrained from praising Jesus, or tried to water down our faith, or skipped certain practices because we're worried of what people will think of us? How many times have we skipped the sign of the cross, or dropped praying all together so we would not be looked at differently? At times, I think we all do these things, it can be hard to live a faith that is hated by the world. But let's look at Jesus for a moment. Where would we be if God had not come down from His throne, to a manger? He made His home among us, the poor and dirty human race, and hung naked and covered with blood on a cross to redeem us. His humiliation was an act of love for us. The greatest act of love this world has ever seen. Realizing that was a real conviction for me. 

Something a dear friend once told me was that we must carry out our acts of love and devotion for Christ like Mary of Bethany, who anointed Jesus's feet with her hair. She was looked down on for this action, bit she didn't care. She didn't concern herself with what others were doing or thinking of her, she simply carried out her act of love for our Lord. 

Friends, this coming week I want to invite you to consider the question, how far are you willing to stoop for Jesus?

See you in the Eucharist, 

May

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