Article from Parish Bulletin: The Arrow on July 25, 2010

"Father Ed In Fr. Carl’s Corner"

SALMON AGAINST THE CURRENT - “US” VERSUS “THEM”

We All approach life very much in the same way: There’s US – and there’s THEM. We’re all right. They’re not.

We’re justifiably concerned for our family’s livelihood. They’re in it for the money. We’re resting. They’re self-indulgent. We’re pragmatic. They’re manipulative. We’re teasing. They’re mean-spirited. We know the truth. They don’t understand; they’re illinformed. We’re concerned for the common good. They’re out to grab whatever they can.

Don’t ever question our good intentions, values, or patriotism. But watch out for them. You can trust us - but be afraid of them. We welcome all - with our doors locked tight. We are all created equal - but some of us are more equal than others. We are all children of God - but we’re God’s favorites.

We’re the people of God - we pray for them. Jesus constantly calls for an end to the “us - vs.- them” perspective of the world. Jesus came to build his Father’s kingdom, a community based on generosity, humility, respect and understanding for all, by all.

We may not consider ourselves perfect, but we do (however unconsciously) consider our perspective of the world and our own belief and value systems to be the standards others would be wise to embrace.

“To act in Jesus’ name,” however, means we must reach out to all without any conditions, without prejudice, without judgment. A tall challenge for each of us.

Thomas Merton put it this way: “As soon as you begin to take yourself seriously and imagine that your virtues are important because they are yours, you become the prisoner of your own vanity, and even your best works will blind and deceive you. And the more unreasonable importance you attach to yourself and your work, the more you will tend to build up your own idea of yourself by condemning other people. Sometimes vicious people are also bitter and unhappy because they unconsciously believe that their happiness depends on their being more virtuous than others.”

Father Ed Salmon