Kateri’s life is certainly an illustration of piety in this world. As we discussed yesterday, the dominant social culture in our country, and probably in the world, is not exactly complimentary of Christianity. There is almost a new morality that replaces God with an abstract concept of “The Earth.” So instead of respect for God’s creation, it’s almost as if God has been removed from the picture all together. As such, respect for all human life is becoming more rare.
At the same time, this new morality has shifted the focus from serving others to just doing what’s best for me. Many young people are learning that the way to decide what to do is just to consider what feels good in the moment. Is it any wonder that addiction is reaching alarming numbers? Is it any wonder that violence seems to be spiraling out of control? Is it any wonder that piety is not respected in this context? At the same time, are any of you as hesitant as I am to share faith-based ideas publicly?
I know what you’re thinking, “oh sure, then what is this blog if not publicly sharing your faith?” You’re right. This is my first attempt to overcome that fear – although I’m not sure fear is the right word. I have so many friends, who I love, from so many walks of life. I know some do not believe what I believe, and that’s okay. Sharing my faith is not a condition for friendship. So in an effort to avoid any possible conflict, I just avoid talking about it. Oh yeah, I’m an expert at avoidance!
I also know that the Lord calls all of us to spread His good news in the world. We are supposed to be members of the Body of Christ. So how do you walk that thin line between evangelizing and alienating people? I think the answer is to simply live by example. There is an old song that gets stuck in my head from time to time, and the line is, “They’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” (Is it stuck in your head now, too?) You might notice that it doesn’t say, “They’ll know we are Christians by the way we are able to judge others for their lifestyle choices.” (see Matthew 7:1-3) I think we could all do well to pay attention to the logs in our own eyes without worrying about the specks in others’.
I also believe that if those Christians who are really good at using their faith to judge others could just stop being in the news all the time, we would have a better chance to change the world by our good example. If I could truly live God’s love in my everyday life, people would want to be near me. More than that, they would be intrigued by my actions. They might even start asking questions and maybe even open the door to discussions of faith. Who knows?
What did Kateri do? She very simply devoted herself to Jesus. Notice, I didn’t say it was easy. I just mean the concept of what she decided is simple to understand. She lived in the love of the Lord. Unfortunately, that became dangerous for her in her tribe. She was seriously persecuted for living a life that did not agree with her people, and especially her uncle/adopted father. In fact, it became so severe that her life was in danger – just because she loved the Lord.
But she had the courage to continue in that love, even though she had to leave the only home she had ever known. In the Christian village where she lived the end of her life, she was an inspiration to everyone who knew her. That’s not because she preached a profound message or guided everyone else. It was because she lived her life as an example for all. She even fasted regularly as a prayer for the conversion of her tribe, those who abused her when she was there. She is a model for all of us.
Lord, please teach us to live our lives as an example of Your love. Help us find ways to spread Your good news to the world in our daily actions as members of Your body. Let us be living examples of piety. Help us bring peace to our world.