Recently I was enjoying an evening walk with a friend, both of us masked and keeping some distance from one another. We were approached by another walker who with raised voice said, “Democrats, right!” as he walked past. Initially shocked we both looked at each other with disbelief, asking did that just happen? My choice to wear a mask is not politically motivated but rather is about safety and a sense of doing my part to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Knowing this, I felt myself becoming angry with this man, his assumptions about my motivations and his seeming disdain for us.
Later, we and others to whom I told
the story came up with many retorts that could have been hurdled back. It may be just as well that in moments like
that my mind slows and my tongue goes silent keeping words I might regret from
escaping. This experience left me with a
larger question, how do I respond as Jesus Christ would have in moments like
this one? Jesus expressed anger at times
but more often than not responded with a sense of compassion and care for the
other person. He offered a parable or a
question to effect change on the other party.
His goal was to find ways to soften hearts, heal and draw people
together. In these days of Covid-19 and
our approaching election which seem to exacerbate differences I pray for the
grace:
·
to
see the other with the compassionate and caring eyes of Christ
·
to
listen with ears that seek to really hear and understand even when I disagree
·
to
speak words that foster healing and connection
·
to
live with a soft heart that remains open and vulnerable
·
to
respond as Christ to whatever I encounter along the way
Sr. Kimberly Porter, OSB
