Convergence
If there is a place where kindness and criticism meet,
surely it must be a place of love.
We know Jesus criticized often, but was it only
when provoked or did he initiate?
Was Martin Luther King, Jr. kind when he shone a mirror
on bigotry, hatred, and pervasive injustice?
Can you recall an instance when the Dalai Lama raised his voice?
When St. Paul told the Judaizers to castrate themselves,
was this a moment of weakness or loving kindness?
Was Francis an instrument of peace when he tore the tiles off
the roof or John Muir acting against love with his scathing writing?
Sweet Sister Thea challenged with her exuberance for life,
singing and dancing and teaching all who would notice,
but when she saw her brethren on the wrong path
she didn’t hesitate to speak up.
Did Jesus ever apologize to the Pharisees for calling them out in public?
It’s personal and it’s not.
It’s bigger than one person and it’s not.
It’s loving and it doesn’t feel like it.
Reflection and Prayer
“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” (Elie Wiesel). Think about how it may feel to have Jesus provide you loving, constructive criticism. Perhaps you can recall some previous experiences of this, either direct insight or mediated by another person. Ask for the grace to be open to receiving such criticism from Jesus and then wait for his loving response. It may come in a dream, during your prayer time or in the course of your day. You will know when it happens. Along with the criticism will be given the grace for you to respond in love. Say out loud a prayer of response so that the grace may be more fully received by you.