November 3

“How long have you been a parishioner at Christ the King,” a young woman asked. “Since around 1983-84.” As I watched her eyes widened, I realized, “You weren’t even born then, were you?” This brief exchange triggered a memory from my days of teaching at St. Cecilia High School. The students in my English class were to read President Kennedy’s inaugural address. I wanted to give some historical background before our discussion of this piece so I began, “I know you were not born when President Kennedy was killed….” One of the student’s hands shot up. I nodded at her. “But we were alive when President Reagan was shot and that’s like the same thing, right?” If I remember correctly, my eyes widened at that point.

But, you may ask, what is my point? I suppose just that I have been struck recently by how our views and understandings are affected by so many factors - age, upbringing, which television shows we watch, etc. Yet I assume so often that others see things the way I do. That is a foolish assumption. While “we are all in this together,” we are also all seeing events through different filters. With so much diversity, how are we to live together? How are we to pursue peace on earth? The only answer I can find is seeking “to put on the mind of Christ.” Our faith tradition holds out the promise of transformation: like Jesus, we human beings can come to see others with eyes filtered by divine love. It is grace that will work this transformation in us, our job is simply to be willing, open to and trust in the power of Love.