There are a few sayings that help us get through life that we should remind ourselves of from time to time.
Sayings like: “charity begins at home.”
And “Honesty is the best policy.” And of course, the Golden Rule: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
These all express good principles and values for us to live by.
Here are a couple more that maybe you haven’t heard but are just as important:
Take care of your thoughts when you are alone.
And take care of your words when you are with people.
We form our thoughts – and our thoughts shape our words – and our words have an impact and affect those around us: our words either lift people up - or tear them down.
So we have to watch what we do or say.
Especially when children are around.
Children have been on Jesus’ mind last week and this one.
Last week as he held a child in his arms Jesus said: “whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.”
And as we just heard, perhaps as he still held that child since it is a direct continuation of the Gospel of last week:
“whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better if a great millstone were put around their neck and thrown into the sea.”
Jesus says these things because he knows how vulnerable children are.
And he reminds us many times in the Gospels that the kingdom of God belongs to the child-like: those who are able to place their trust and hope and find their dreams in God.
It is often truthfully said that children are the world’s most valuable resource and the best hope for the future.
That’s why we pour so many of our parish resources into them – in our school, and through our youth group, and with our help to students in
El Salvador.
And everyday, we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.
They are like sponges – soaking up what we do and say – and their thoughts and characters are being shaped and formed by these experiences.
So when children talk back and argue with us – who did they learn that from?
Or when they start shouting in an argument, was it because they heard us shouting at others –maybe even shouting at them?
We also tend to complain and criticize and blame others for what has gone wrong that caused us inconveniences.
So when they hear us venting – aren’t they learning something about not taking personal responsibility?
Our world and our lives are like a fire burning with frustrations, disruptions, disappointments and maybe even depression.
We can easily give into complaining, criticizing, blaming, and avoiding.
But Jesus calls us to be like a cup of water for a thirsty and heated world.
And just as water cleanses and refreshes, we often need to see situations and problems with clean and fresh eyes.
No doubt circumstances in our world cause us anxiety and worry. But doesn’t past experience tell us that nothing ever last forever?
So even if there is nothing in our present circumstances that tells us that there is beauty and goodness to come – doesn’t always eventually come??
So let’s give each other that cup of water – that spark of hope - that will all need: avoiding the gloom and doom.
Let’s resolve to be resilient and to be united in charity – so as to look forward in hope for beauty, justice and peace.
May these be our thoughts and our prayers – and our example to the little ones – may the Lord help us to be that cup of water for a very thirsty world.