I think I’ve told you before about how Fr. Rich and I used
to fight over the remote during my first few weeks here. I wanted to watch ESPN at breakfast and
he wanted to watch the news.
Since
Fr. Rich is gone, I have been able to keep up with the sporting world each
morning. One of the biggest
stories now is quite bizarre. A
player from the Miami Dolphins left the team and entered a mental health
rehabilitation program. He claims
he has been bullied and harassed by one of his teammates. As the reports continue, it is unclear
if this was an individual bully, a group shunning, or perhaps nothing at all. What is clear is that something went
amiss with the Dolphins in how they push each other to be better players.
Each
of us is responsible to lead in some way.
Whether it is in our family, work or among friends, we should strive to
make people around us better.
Sometimes this requires pushing them—and as a priest I see this as an
important part of leading parishioners, staff and children.
St.
Paul pushed the Romans to be better, and note how he does it: “I myself am convinced about you, my
brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of
goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able
to admonish one another. But
I have written to you rather boldly in some respects…” First, he affirms his brothers and
sisters. Second, he sees the good
present in them and responds with mercy rather than condemnation.
When
we are faced with challenging someone we need to keep this approach in
mind. No matter how annoyed or
angry we are, we should first seek the good in someone we need to confront. They, too, are God’s beloved son or
daughter and have gifts and talents to serve His kingdom. Affirmation goes a long way in
correction.
Pushing
someone to become better is not always easy or fun, but at times it is
necessary. In such times, seek the
good in this person, affirm them and approach the situation with mercy and
love.
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