We know we’re commanded to love our neighbor. To paraphrase Belloc, “That’s really hard.”
As Catholics, we know a lot of truths. We have to love those who do not share that knowledge. One way to do that is to realize that others usually think we’re as wrong about things as we think they are. Keeping that in mind helps us relate to our neighbors, and ourselves, more productively.
One way to love our neighbor is to stop talking to them as much and start listening to them more. As soon as we do that, we start to hear about things of concern to them. Mostly, they’re worried about finding solutions to problems.
That invariably provides us with the opportunity to mention how important it is to ask God for help. “Have you asked God to help you sort out things? Have you asked St. Anthony to intercede for you and ask Him to help find the solution that’s best for you?”
In many communities, over half the people are lapsed Catholics. If we consider Protestants as “lapsed Catholics”, nearly everyone can be so categorized. Being a better Catholic means encouraging our neighbors to get in touch with God. If you listen, no matter what problem is bothering anyone, the advice: “Ask God to help you. Ask St. Anthony to ask Him to do the same thing. You can’t lose!” is always applicable.
After we try it a few times, we become “mini-disciples”, and help to do His work on earth. People don’t mind listening to a few sentences that urge them to place their own, beloved human program in a position where The Loving Programmer can best get through to download the assistance they need.
Everyone likes being loved. Reminding someone that The Loving Programmer of all there is has an incredible love for them is always helpful.
