You know, too often we view things not as they are, but as we want to see them. For example, when you are grumpy, even a gorgeous looks like another obstacle. When we fall in love, we can’t see any flaws in the other (until later). It is like looking at life with blinders on. I need a volunteer to demonstrate. [Give them glasses with paper blinders on each side.]
Blinders were originally designed to put on horses to limit their vision . . . so that they are not distracted, but only look ahead. So [to the volunteer] I want you to look at the middle light. So without turning your head, can you see Mo waving to you at the piano? [No.]
Often we go through life with blinders on. Not seeing the full picture, but only a portion, or rather only what we want to see. This gets especially challenging when face so many difficult dilemmas or “sticky problem” in the world. Most often, your view of a situation is only ONE view. There are always another ways
to look at things. For example . . .
For some, having policies that support the free exchange of good and services across national borders is part of trying to create a global community.
For other, it is taking away of jobs that devastates one’s local community.
[I cut away an inch from each side of the blinders.]
For some, acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people is a natural extension of human rights, and is what Jesus talks about with “loving all people.” For others, it signals another stripping away of the moral order.
[I cut away an inch from each side of the blinders.]
For some, addressing racism and sexism in all it sneaky forms is necessary to who we are as a country.
For other, it signaled political correctness and bias against white men.
[I cut away an inch from each side of the blinders.]
For some, the immigration issue is about obeying the law and securing our border; keeping us safe.
For others, it is a humanitarian issue calling forth compassion and open arms for those who are fleeing violence and persecution.
[I cut away an inch from each side of the blinders.]
There are often many ways of looking at the same issue. As a friend of mine often says, “Yes, there are two ways of looking at any issue . . . there’s my and there’s the wrong way
.”
So think of those issues that you keep having the same battles over with a family member or a neighbor. Too often, we say, “Well, she should just open her eyes and not be so stupid.” Or we think, “Well, if they would stop getting their news from that source and use my source, then they would be enlightened.”
Do you see the problem?
That’s where the Eucharist comes in. The Eucharist is the food of life. As Jesus calls it (and himself) the bread of life. This is the food that is meant to stretch us to make us better versions of ourselves. So if you are coming to the communion line and all that you are doing is judging others . . . For example thinking, “Should she be receiving?” or “Look at what he is wearing, has he no respect for the Eucharist?” . . . there is a better way.
Notice that just before we receive the Eucharist (at the part of the Mass when the Priest has broken the host) we DON’T say, “Lord, she is not worthy for you to come under her roof, or he is not worthy.” NO! We say I am not worthy! The Eucharist is for us to take off our blinders.
. . . and maybe have the courage to face your own biases, assumptions, areas that we only see things from a limited viewpoint.
. . . and maybe the Eucharist can also nurture us to become more understanding that our view is not the only view. And maybe the problem is NOT that person, but it is you! The second reading said, “Remove all bitterness, fury, anger, shouting and reviling (which means insulting or abusing).”
The Eucharist is a gift, to help you become a better you. So as the second reading said, “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. Be imitators of God and live in love.”