That morning’s Gospel reading at Mass was a doozy. Hooey! I wanted to take this reading and stitch it on a pillow and give it out to all those “so-called Christians.” This will show all those on the other side of the political spectrum what Jesus thinks of them! Booya! Mic drop!
I was filled with self-righteous anger toward those I thought didn’t care or didn’t get “it” of what we are called to do as Christians. This reading backed me up! Along with, like, the entire Bible! I sat in the pew smug thinking of all who I would give this pillow to.
Then, like He often does because that’s what it takes for me to actually understand, God smacked me upside the head.
What about you?
- What about me?
What about you?
- What about me? I was talking about those other people. Oh God, you are gonna have a thing or two to say to them when they get up there! Hooey! Did you see what Jesus said we need to do?
Uh huh. And what about you?
- What about me?
How do you spend your money?
- Well, I… uh… I…. Oh! I tithe! The full ten percent! Of every paycheck!
Oh yeah? Since when?
- Since… a few months ago.
How long have you been earning a paycheck?
- …. Twenty… five … years…
What were you doing during those last 25 years?
- I tried to give… sort of… I really wanted to….
So how else do you spend your money?
- …..????….
What’d you buy yesterday?
- …. Ss..tuff…
When was the last time you took care of the poor?
- Hey, I’m doing that one charity!
And?
- And what?
And what else?
- …..??? What do you mean?
How else do you take care of the poor?
- ….????….
When was the last time you took care of the sick?
- My kids! And my husband! You know how hard that is! They’re kind of big babies. All of them. It’s a lot of work.
And?
- And what?
How else do you take care of the sick?
- ….????….
How do you fight for the oppressed?
- Ooo! This I got! Listen: I oppose the death penalty! And abortion! And I think Black Lives Matter! And I think we need to do more for mental health care so police don’t have to carry such a fucked up burden! And
And what have you done about any of it?
A quote hangs by our front door by St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) – “Do It Anyway.” The last line reads “You see in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
- I… post memes to Facebook…
You’re really gonna count that?
- … No… I guess not…
Nobody’s even following you anymore.
- I said I wasn’t going to count it! Can we move on?
Do you really need Me to continue?
- No…
Read it again.
- I don’t need to. I get it.
Read it again.
- But I don’t need to. I get it.
Read it again.
- But I don’t wanna.
Read. It. Again.
- Fine….
……………………………
So. What are you going to do?