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More than one way to skin a cat!
St. Paul's repeated admonition to do something "as if....." tells me that it is obviously possible (if not expected) to do what we are doing from a new and different perspective. Those who are doing whatever it is, do it "as if" you were not doing it. The crux of the Christian life may very well lie in this "as if" possibility.
What I mean is that as human beings living in the real world we might not be able to completely change our reality - what it is we're doing. However, the power of Christ enables us do to it "as if" we are in Christ, because we are.
Jesus' call of the apostles in St. Mark makes this explicit but we may have missed it as just a catchy trip of a phrase. You fishermen will become fishers of men. There it is...you will be doing the same thing but for a different purpose, different intention, different meaning as if you were Jesus. Because you are.
This is important in our spiritual life, no? Those of you who are dying....do it as if you were not dying. Those of you that are grieving, do it as if you are not grieving. Those of you who are winning at this world's game of life, act as if you are not winning. Humility, joy, freedom, peace, these are all possible ways of doing the stuff of life that others do in resentment, fear, and sadness.
There's more than one way to skin a cat. Right?
3 comments:
I think this is a tremendous reflection! It is “as if” it is a simple lesson – but it is not. It is actually a challenging one that helps us to think not the way we naturally think – but the way Jesus challenges us to think. Things are inside out in this world – it’s heaven that has it right. And it’s through the eyes of the divine that we learn to see things differently, beginning with the cross. Everything we do takes on new and greater meaning – and all for the good – when we do it through Christ and with Christ. This encouraging reflection from the Matador reminds me of the transforming power of the Eucharistic Liturgy, where we bring our very selves to the altar, offering ourselves “as if” we are the sacrifice, because in Christ we are. Thanks, Matador. I love it!
As a practical matter, to do something "as if" makes life easier - greeting Monday morning "as if" it was already Friday morning or tackling a seemingly insurmountable problem "as if" it was already solved. However, at first blush, it appears that acting "as if" is not being true to yourself. But, the self is more often than not our own worst enemy. Denial of self in order to get a different perspective not only makes life easier, but also allows us to be the best example for others in support of our faith and hope in Christ.
I think Paul’s ‘as if’ seems to suggest change. Whether in what’s happening around us, how we see it, or both. It is a beautiful example of trusting in the Lord. So, whatever it is happening, it would be a good thing to keep one’s priorities in order. Putting God first, maintaining the desire to live a life pleasing to Him. Striving to keep that focus and desire to remain in Christ, I think, would be like cooperating with God’s plan. Giving it all up to God… perseverance in Faith. There’s peace in that.
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