Everyday People

During the Teen Fellowship Service Gospel discussion this past Sunday, the question was raised, “What are you willing to die for?”  As I listened to their varied responses, I thought about how my reaction to this question has changed over time.  Once, I would have had grand ideas of noble causes for which one could give one’s life.  Now I am humbled by what it takes to live for small gestures of kindness and compassion.

We are always so fascinated by the grand gesture, the big event, the dramatic climax.  We punctuate our lives with wedding feasts, large funerals, and do-0r-die political campaigns.  We go to great lengths to plan, arrange, and pay for great markers for our lives and times.

But what of the everyday opportunities for small gestures and achievements?  What about recognizing and celebrating the myriad, tiny choices we can make each and every day to be kinder, gentler, more merciful? Why not focus on the endless ways we can rise above our daily blur of to-do lists, meetings, and minutiae  and truly listen to those who are asking for our help? Truly look at those who are sharing our lives? Truly feel the cross–not on our own backs–rather on the backs of those around us?

This is what I am willing to live for.

Annemarie