Today at school there was a heated discussion between students who held distinctly different views on the Life issue of abortion. Most students were extremely Pro-Life, but one person was heatedly Pro Choice. Sadly, on both sides it became an argument - a heated argument at that! I was asked to help students come to the conclusion that we must tread with respect upon such an important issue, especially when we are young and just learning how to lead with our ear and our heart instead of our arrogance and determination to 'win' the argument. Pope Francis has been trying to show just that - that the way to influence others is to show humility and compassion for all of God's children, not just the ones who think the way we do.
It is more important to be loving than it is to be right! This concept helps to bring the issue into perspective, I believe, to explain the mindset of humble dialogue to numerous students over the years while they are trying to figure out how to find personal integrity while being true to their Catholic beliefs. No one could be more Pro Life than this mother of six, with three little ones in heaven. But we will never influence the hearts of those who don't believe the way we do by being arrogant in what it means to be holy and righteous, no matter which side of the issue we are on. We must remember that we are all made in the image and likeness of God and, as such, should respect the person even if we don't respect the view point.
May God bless us as parents, teachers and adults in the lives of children so that we can show respect, loving-kindness and a pastoral approach to our neighbor whom Jesus asks us to treat as we would like to be treated. May we come to see the value of prayer for those whom we love and those whom we should love more completely. And may we submit willingly to humble dialogue with those who don't quite see it our way...
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