Perceptions
theophilus December 14th, 2008
You should have seen me this morning.
We went to Mass last night with my parents at their parish. But, I wanted my 5-year old to go to his RFY class this morning during 10:00 Mass.
So, as I was tooling around this morning, enjoying an unusual Sunday morning, I remembered that I had to get my son ready to go to church.
And my mind starting cranking. Well, I better shower. Do I need to shave? Do I wear my usual respectful Mass outfit or can I just throw on some jeans?
I decided on the shower, against the shave, and in favor of the jeans. I got my son dressed and fed, and off we went.
My wife had already called her Mom & Dad who go to the same Mass, and asked if they could pick him up after class. They agreed (of course). So, I dropped him off at his class, and sheepishly told his teacher that we had gone to Mass last night and that his grandparents would pick him up after class. I then hurried back out to my car, drove through the parking lot with my head shrunk below the steering wheel, and snuck out the entrance.
All the while, I was hoping that no one I knew would see me and think I was just dropping my kids off at RFY for babysitting and skipping Mass.
And, who really should care?
I went to Mass; I kept today holy; I cared enough to ensure my son attended RFY and gave his Christmas gifts to his teachers (it’s the last class until after the New Year). But for all anyone knows, I was a deadbeat Catholic using the Church as babysitting, while I skipped off to a quiet breakfast.
I guess we need to be careful about perceptions. I was concerned enough about other’s perceptions of me that I went through the motions I went through this morning. But, ultimately, the only thing that matters is God’s perception of me. He knows my heart; he knows what I have done; he is my only audience. Save for the example we must set for each other as the members of the Body of the Church, God is the one we must answer to for our actions.
And maybe, I need to judge other’s less and just focus on what I am giving to Christ. We can be observant, but we must not be judgmental.
Ah, my little lesson on this blessed Sunday.
