The Diocese
Posted: 01/24/2025
"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." - 1 Peter 3:8
We are nearing the end of what has been an eventful week, marked by the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States. I’m sure many of you have watched the ceremony - whether snippets or the full-length event.
As I watched the solemn ceremony, I found myself reflecting on the main figures of the day, as chaplains often do. I could not imagine how uncomfortable it must have been for the outgoing president and vice president to attend the event and listen to the inaugural speech. I assume it was far from pleasant to hear criticism - whether fair or unfair. Yet, they stayed and participated in the transition of power, a moment filled with both discomfort and dignity.
The transition of power reminded me how often we, too, find ourselves in uncomfortable situations in life - moments that challenge our patience, humility, and grace. In our personal and professional lives, we often encounter tough conversations, unpleasant encounters, or moments of unease. Sometimes, we even become targets of direct criticism, whether justified or not.
Remaining calm and composed in the face of discomfort is a gift born of self-awareness and self-control. It requires humility, acceptance, forgiveness, and a willingness to compromise.
Surely, it was not pleasant for Jesus to sit with Pharisees, Sadducees, tax collectors, and others of questionable morals. Yet He did not avoid them, leave, or walk away. Instead, He stayed with them, embraced the discomfort, and sought to connect on a personal level - beyond their status, character, or outward qualities.
The challenge we face today is to rise above what lies on the surface - the ugliness, the unpleasantness, the messiness, the hurt - and connect with those around us heart to heart, soul to soul. Whether with our colleagues, friends, neighbors or strangers, let us find the courage, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence to remain present, to stay, to sit, and to connect.
When we find ourselves in a moment of tension or unease, let us resist the urge to withdraw. Instead, let us pause, breathe, and remind ourselves to approach the situation with humility and compassion. Let’s seek to listen and connect on a deeper level, trusting that God is present in the discomfort and will guide us.
