Lost in the Weeds

Graciously hear our supplications, O Lord, so that we, who believe that the Savior of the human race is with you in your glory, may experience, as he promised, until the end of the world, his abiding presence among us.

A reflection from Father Tudgay for the Seventh Sunday of Easter.

Occasionally, we get bogged down by incidental details, sometimes, to the point that we lose the greater focus and the greater good. This can happen either at work, in our families, in our hobbies, or within friendships. More broadly, we see the risk of this distraction at work in our world, manifesting as self-interest, greed, or disproportionate pride. Failure to reverence the dignity and gift of life – regardless of faith tradition – represents a loss of focus on what is paramount, one person to the other.  

The Scriptures that the Church gives to us this weekend display a radical illustration of what it means not to get “lost in the weeds”. Quite the opposite… In the First Reading, The Acts of the Apostles recounts the martyrdom of Saint Stephen. While you and I are tragically confronted with violence and murder on a daily basis, Stephen’s willingness to die on behalf of Christ captures the extreme witness of a martyr’s will. Unprovoked violence is never acceptable. Yet, Stephen understood that his witness to Christ would have consequences beyond his own sacrificial experience.  

Stephen’s experience, however, is drawn from what unfolds in the Gospel passage. Taken from Chapter 17 of Saint John’s Gospel, Christ’s prayer before the Father right before he was to be handed over is the fundamental act of generosity and selflessness. As he knows he is being handed over for our salvation to face crucifixion, Jesus’ singular motivation was drawn from two mutual and indispensable priorities: obedience to the Father and love of us. In these to witnesses to love, the truth of what was important was never lost in the weeds. 

In the hectic nature of life, it is inevitable that priorities shift and focus is lost. However, as disciples of Jesus Christ, we are bound to the arduous task of reverencing the sacred in each other through mutual respect and compassion. Are there differences among us? Sure. Are there conflicts that emerge occasionally? Duh! Do we disagree on things? I hope so…that gives way to creativity. Do we, in our imperfection, occasionally hurt one another and need to be forgiven? If we’ve never uttered the words “I’m sorry” to another person, then we need some help! We can’t let the less-than-important struggles of daily life dominate the gift of human solidarity. The greater good always values those virtues that keep our eye on Christ in us, forgiving one another and offering sacrifices for the greater good, always!