A BLUEPRINT FOR LIVING

The alarm went off punctually at its appointed time; I was awake to its demands but reluctant to get out of bed.  Could I cadge a further five minutes?  I hit snooze and, promptly, five minutes later I received a shrill reminder.  Whoever invented the alarm and all its functions knew what he was doing!

Since I had time on my side, I decided that first Mass would be a good idea (instead of the afternoon which is a comfortable alternative).  It really was a good idea!  The first reading contained Paul’s advice to the ‘Romans’ – the best blueprint for Christian living that one could ever receive.  It makes me wonder why we listen to anything else!  Here’s the text, judge for yourselves:

“In the same way, all of us, though there are so many of us, make up one body in Christ, and as different parts we are all joined to one another.⁶ Then since the gifts that we have differ according to the grace that was given to each of us: if it is a gift of prophecy, we should prophesy as much as our faith tells us;⁷ if it is a gift of practical service, let us devote ourselves to serving; if it is teaching, to teaching;⁸ if it is encouraging, to encouraging. When you give, you should give generously from the heart; if you are put in charge, you must be conscientious; if you do works of mercy, let it be because you enjoy doing them.⁹ Let love be without any pretence. Avoid what is evil; stick to what is good.¹⁰ In brotherly love let your feelings of deep affection for one another come to expression and regard others as more important than yourself.¹¹ In the service of the Lord, work not halfheartedly but with conscientiousness and an eager spirit.¹² Be joyful in hope, persevere in hardship; keep praying regularly;¹³ share with any of God's holy people who are in need; look for opportunities to be hospitable.¹⁴ Bless your persecutors; never curse them, bless them.¹⁵ Rejoice with others when they rejoice, and be sad with those in sorrow.¹⁶ Give the same consideration to all others alike. Pay no regard to social standing, but meet humble people on their own terms. Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom.”

-          Romans 12:5-16

Tuesday’s Cantor is usually in good voice and today was no exception.  And even better was the choice of hymns – consolation, support and advice just when they were needed: In my heart, O Lord, you are there… you are there to lighten my burden … you are there to help me when I’m in need and God will make a way where there seems to be no way.

Prophetic?  I certainly feel so.

May your day be blessed.

A QUESTION OF ANONYMITY

Blogs should be bright and breezy.  Entertaining. Easy to read.  And serious ones, like medicine, should be honey coated to make them palatable.

 

Not this one.

A friend has been targeted by that all too frequently used weapon – the anonymous letter. My friend is not all sweetness and light.  She is no angel singing to tuneful accompaniment upon the harp.  And she knows that getting the job done does make enemies.  She takes that in her stride. But I do not. I am appalled by the cowardice that can accuse and allege but will not acknowledge ownership of such accusation.  I am even more appalled to discover that authority takes cognizance of such content. It is considered ‘feedback’. No smoke without a fire?

Not too long ago, I had the privilege of working with a very pragmatic boss.  If someone approached him with a grievance against a colleague or superior, he would bring accuser and accused together and ask for an open discussion where he served as mediator.  While this invariably sorted out matters, the method caused quite a bit of discomfort!  The anonymous letters commenced.  The boss made a very public announcement.  ‘I have received a number of complaints, all of them unsigned.  Since I am unable to acknowledge these directly, I am pleased to make a general announcement that all said complaints have been seriously, thoroughly and immediately addressed.  They have been consigned to the paper shredder.’  Now, that’s treating the anonymous letter with the contempt it deserves.

There is anonymity and anonymity.  And there is need to understand the difference.  There was a time when women authors would never have been published and so took on male pseudonyms; others did not want to be identified with their published work because of their public persona and used the pen name route, cloaking their own name with another.  Media knows all too well about sources that ‘do not wish to be quoted’.  A classic of its time – All the President’s Men – relied on ‘Deep Throat’ as informant.  But each lead was meticulously followed and checked.  Truth was the objective.  We have seen how courageous whistle blowers are dealt with, making the anonymous route even more desirable.  So, am I making a case for the anonymous complaint or not?

There is a fine line which divides the ethical from the dishonourable and we need to understand the difference. Anonymous letters are written by real people who presumably like to think that they have a conscience.  It would be well to remember that conscience and courage go hand in hand.

It would be a good thing, too, to call to mind yet another breed of people who prefer to remain unnamed: the numerous secret benefactors who do much to make this world better. 

The best time and place to be anonymous is when giving with a generous heart.