By Sharon Wilson
Untitled by Caissie via Pixabay. CC0 Public Domain
A year and a half ago I took a position teaching religion at a Catholic school. Discerning if I was being called to teach, taking a long term subbing position seemed to be a great way to see if this is where God was calling me. It all seemed to make sense; I am trained as a teacher, love my faith and even though I taught physical education in the past, I was/am anxious to share my love of the church and teach middle school kids about God and the Catholic Church.
Discernment is a funny thing. We have to figure out what are our obstacles to overcome and what is the wrong path. One of the keys to discernment came to me when I experienced hypocrisy in myself and my actions. My goal at that time and still is today, to share with others God’s great love. I mean if God can love me he can love everybody, right!
In the first reading for today’s Mass, Gal 2:1, Paul speaks about that hypocrisy in describing the actions taken by certain Jews in regard to the Gentiles. If our actions do not match our words, we need to rethink our actions.
Despite trying to teach God’s love, I found myself yelling at the students. I suddenly realized that I was their example of God’s love and that this was no way to show it! God’s love can be tough love, but screaming at them about their behavior was not tough love. What kind of evangelizer would I be if this was the example I set? I needed to change my behavior or change my job. For this and other reasons, I reasoned that maybe I wasn’t called to teach middle school religion at this time in my life, but the experience has caused me to put my money where my mouth is in whatever I do.
Do your actions match your words? Do you criticize gossips but gossip about others? Do you profess a certain virtue but lack in showing it?
Practice holding yourself accountable to one virtue you value and work on it this week.
About the Author:
Sharon Wilson – Wife, Mother, Writer, Catholic Speaker, and the Director of Operations for WINE. Sharon has a degree in education and has worked as a freelance writer, Respect Life Coordinator, a teacher, in advertising, radio, buyer and in youth advocacy – She even rode an elephant in the circus once! Sharon speaks, writes and shares about God’s healing and about the great gift of being Catholic.
This article spoke volumes to me and the importance of simply walking away, which is a hard thing for me to do. I have volunteered and do volunteer for things in community and there are times when I’m there and judgement of a persons action comes so easy to me. Then I remember what the nuns taught me so many years ago that is to see Christ’s face in whom you serve.
Thank you for your article and thank you for the reminder.