RE-SPECT

So we're wrapping up our "Parish Mission" this week, and it has been SO wonderful. Msgr. Jim Telthorst has been leading the Mission, and he is a fantastic speaker.



His presentation the first night talked about the difference between being a "student" and being a "disciple" of Jesus. A student of Jesus could recite his teachings, memorize prayers, etc., but as disciples of Jesus we need to watch Him in his daily routine...to walk with Him. Msgr. suggested we do this by reading the Gospels with a point of view. For example, if you are reading the story of the woman caught in adultery, you could place yourself in the position of the woman, or one holding a stone, or simply a passerby. He challenges us to view Jesus through the perspective of one of those particular people in the story. Since I'm not a big bible reader, I think this is a GREAT idea. I even mentioned to my hubby that it would be neat for both us of to read a particular passage, each with a different perspective, and then talk about it. That would be an "easy" way for us to pray together.



Now onto RE-SPECT... Msgr. Jim described respect (from the Latin root) to mean "look again" or "take a second look." He showed a video from Youtube (http://www.sermonspice.com/) called "Got Service?" which really hit home with me. He talked about how we so often pass people throughout the day, without really SEEING them. We judge them based on their appearance, or how they talk or act. We often only see them in relation to how they are affecting US. As in the video, we often get upset by someone driving slowly ahead of us, or waiting in long lines because the cashier is too slow, or a server in a restaurant not getting our order correct. And we get upset (either internally or out loud), beause we fail to truly see these people who have inconvenienced us...seeing them as people like us...people who hurt, people who have problems, people who are broken. So I'm making a diligent effort to work on RE-SPECTing others more; to reserve judgement, and to try to see them through the eyes of service...really, through the eyes of Christ. That may be the most important effort I make this Lent!



As tiring as it has been to be gone from 8:30am to 9:30pm this week, I am SO happy that Dan and I have attended this mission! I feel very blessed and inspired.