Given the momentum of the cancel culture, the storm is upon us. It calls to mind the words of Cardinal F. Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan: “The greatest failure in leadership is for the leader to be afraid to speak and act as a leader.” And yet, didn’t Jesus tell us to not be afraid?
It’s hope, not wishful thinking, by which we persevere in pursuit of what we’re seeking. We all “hope” for what we perceive as good things―even though they’re finite: health, career, a great marriage, happy successful kids, financial security. And we endure a lot of pain and suffering in pursuit of them. Need we?
Of the fire fighters to lose their lives in New York City on September 11, 2001, Father Mychal Judge was among the first. As NYFD Chaplain, he was known to begin each day began with, “Lord, take me where you want me to go. Let me meet who you want me to meet.” We can only presume that he recited that same prayer on that fateful morning. The Lord guided him, and Fr. Judge followed…into eternity.
Do you know any self-proclaimed perfectionists who, because of their unrealistically high standards, remain stagnant? Pride often gets in our way when we expect to be able to do things “perfectly” on our own. God doesn’t want us to do that. He wants us to seek out His help.