Recently I heard in a homily – the evil in the world exists because of the discrepancy between our words and our deeds. It struck such a chord that I took my phone out and typed it in so I would not forget. Further comment that adds to the context was that we are not a people of amnesia. That we have not forgotten everything. It really is a choice.
Consistency. This word is mentioned in so many arenas and I think it warrants a mention in our personal approach sphere. How many times have you heard someone say something about another that is the exact opposite to your experience of that person? I have several times and logically I know therefore that this must also be the case for myself. We are not consistent in how we treat others. But, if our values and beliefs direct our actions why is this so? Should we not treat all equally? We don’t. So what directs our actions if not our values and beliefs?
Is it possible our values and beliefs no longer influence us as we expect? If so – what then holds this power of influence? I think of the letter of the law part of the Gospels where Jesus challenges the pharisees and suggests to enter heaven we need to do more than the letter of the law is important. Too many times today we tick boxes and call ourselves just and full of integrity. Integrity comes from within not from how we are perceived. So if we know that our love and compassion has to come from our hearts and within why do we not afford this lens to all our interactions?
A bit ‘judgy’ aren’t we? A bit reactionary. A bit emotional. Perhaps it is our emotions that have surpassed our values and beliefs in directing our actions, which is why we are not acting as we know is right ‘consistently’.
We have limited control over our emotions so why allow them to control our actions and our words?
The Female Theologian 