The Tribune

By Rev Angela Bosfield

Palacious

There are times in our lives that we do the best that we can and our efforts and intentions are misunderstood or maligned. When we seek to work for justice and still show mercy when others may advocate even harsher consequences, we find ourselves caught in the crossfire. Trying to be a peacemaker is risky business. In a climate of deception and mistrust, it is very difficult to know who is sincere or trustworthy.

The Lord warns us that there will be days like this when exonerating ourselves will be near to impossible, and that being persecuted is a blessing if it is for his sake. This is where the expression “being a fool for Christ” comes into the picture. The prayer attributed to St Francis of Assisi speaks of praying with the desire to understand more than being understood, and so it is that we have to be willing to bear the cross of confusion and condemnation.

There are situations, where if given a choice, we would just walk away from the whole mess, and allow others to sort it out, because there are other more fulfilling ways to use our gifts.

This is not always an option if the Lord calls us to remain until the work is done. Obedience has its price.
When have you found yourself a fool for Christ? When have you become the target of untrue comments, which when taken out of context, create a whole new scenario? If you have ever listened to one side of a telephone conversation it is amazing what we can fabricate or create a plausible story that is very often quite far from the truth. The power of counselling is that it allows us to see ourselves from more than one angle, and moves us from the centre of everything.

This is Lent, and during Lent the enemy works overtime to create trouble. Things are blown out of proportion, accusations are made, inferences are drawn and tactics are resorted to that make explanations near to impossible, but when you find this occurring, pray for God to help you to be strong in spirit. Praise God as the one who knows the secrets of the heart and who is the final judge of motives, thoughts and actions.

It is better to suffer for doing what is believed to be right, Our Lord says, than to be pressured to do what is wrong. In the end, we each have to stand before God. You may ask God to show you if you have erred and receive forgiveness if this is your conclusion, or you may ask God to help you to humbly bear the cross of Christ if your convictions bring criticism.

It really has to be all about God in the end: How we seek to put God first; how we ask God for wisdom and guidance in each situation that arises. Truth can be very subjective and in the end we may make fools of ourselves when we become involved. This is what “dying to self” means: allowing our reputations to be tarnished if it seems God’s will. From Palm Sunday to Good Friday, public opinion may vary, but we must be faithful, as Jesus was, to the path that is set before us.