How do we get to Center?
Sponsored
Catholic365 is sponsored by
Road to Purity
As I packed my bags for a 17-day Spain adventure, I selected several books to read during the trip. In addition to the books, I included one of the documents by Pope Francis titled: Fiducia Supplicans. In the past several months since its distribution in December 2023, there have been so many comments, articles, and videos on this document. I took time during my stay in Valencia, Spain to carefully read this document. I enjoyed this document in the same way I enjoyed Fratelli Tutti. (Click here for my articles on Fratelli Tutti).
Much of the controversy from several sources focused on the reference in the Fiducia Supplicans document to same sex couples. My takeaway from this document is the Pope’s emphasis on the three types of blessings.
The first type of blessing, as noted in the document, descends from God to each of us. We in no way deserve this blessing, but God blesses each of us as His children. When we recognize and acknowledge the unconditional love of God, we respond with thanksgiving and praise that ascends to God. This is the second type of blessing. We give this second type of blessing to God through praise and thanksgiving. The third blessing mentioned in the document is the blessing that we extend to each other. As I thought about these blessings, I began to look at the cross.
We make the sign of the cross by first tracing a line vertically from top to bottom. This is the flow of blessings from the Father to each of us. This should never be a one-way flow. When we recognize the love of God in our lives, we give blessings to God. To do this, we must die to self and ego so that we can give love back to the Father in the form of praise, worship, and thanksgiving. The vertical line of the cross is a two-way flow of blessings. However, the cross is not complete until we draw the horizonal line through the vertical line. The horizonal line represents the blessings we give to each other.
Fallen humanity is full of pride and something we must overcome to have a healthy relationship with God and each other. Love for one another is easy to do when things go our way and when we like the people around us. This line, as well as the vertical line, must be drawn with humility. The horizonal line of the cross is a line of love and blessing and includes forgiveness. Jesus teaches us that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). We must be honest in loving ourselves. Do we love all that we are – our strengths and our weaknesses? Do we forgive ourselves when we fail to do the right thing? Do we love the people who live near us? How do we show love to our neighbors? Most importantly, how broad is the neighborhood? Does it include the entire city or state that you live in? It seems to me that Jesus addressed this question in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).
Jesus also teaches us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). He specifically teaches in the Gospel of Matthew that we are to pray for those who persecute us. Prayer is the way to love our enemies and all prayer should begin with the sign of the cross.
Judging is an easy outcome of fallen humanity. Jesus teaches us in the Gospel of Matthew that we are to stop judging each other (Matthew 7:1-2). His teaching continues with how easy it is to see a splinter in our brother’s eye but not acknowledge the wooden beam in our own eye (Matthew 7:3-5).
The Church is the Body of Christ and consists of sinners. We are all undeserving of God’s love. We all fall short. Yet through Baptism, we are included in the Body of Christ. As we journey through life, we are working towards holiness. We obtain holiness by working on the three types of blessings.
First, we must acknowledge God and the love He has for each of us. He loves you and there is nothing that you have done to deserve His love. In acknowledging God’s love, we look toward Him, and submit to His will in our lives. Submission is hard when there is no love. But when you lead with love, submission is easier to attain.
As we bathe in the love that flows to us from God and then reciprocate that love to God, we must share that same kind of love with others. The cross is not complete without the horizonal line. Loving our neighbors is quite difficult to do without humility and a clear understanding of our own sinfulness and the forgiveness given to us by God.
Blessings, whether provided by a priest, religious, or lay Christian should never be denied to anyone. I also believe that we should pray for each other, including our priests and religious as they interact with each of us. Prayer is talking with God. Tell him what you struggle with as it relates to drawing the horizonal line. He always answers us. Ask and then listen. Amen!
Denise Mercado is an award-winning author, blogger, and solo traveler. Denise was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. As a military spouse, she lived in many cities throughout the USA and abroad. Denise’s book – Mary’s Life Journey & Her Amazing Yes! – was recognized in the 2023 Catholic Media Association Book Awards and the 2023 Independent Author Network Awards. This book focuses on the life of the Blessed Mother and the mysteries of ALL the Rosaries. Her most recent book titled – The Way of Light: The Story Behind the Stations of the Resurrection – received the Nihil Obstat in 2023 by the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, Florida. Denise explores the beauty and history of the Catholic Church by visiting cathedrals, basilicas, monasteries, and shrines and writing about her findings in her Catholic Travel Blog. For more information about Denise’s books, blogs, and travel plans, visit her website at www.denisemercado.com.
