The Christ Way

I (still) Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

by U2

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I have climbed the highest mountains 

I have run through the fields 

Only to be with you Only to be with you 

I have run, I have crawled 

I have scaled these city walls These city walls 

Only to be with you 

But I still haven't found What I'm looking for 

But I still haven't found What I'm looking for 

I have kissed honey lips 

Felt the healing in her finger tips 

It burned like fire (I was) Burning inside her 

 I have spoke with the tongue of angels 

I have held the hand of a devil 

It was warm in the night I was cold as a stone 

But I still haven't found What I'm looking for 

But I still haven't found What I'm looking for 

I believe in the Kingdom Come 

Then all the colors will bleed into one Bleed into one 

But, yes, I'm still running 

You broke the bonds And you loosed the chains 

Carried the cross of my shame Oh, my shame, 

you know I believe it 

But I still haven't found What I'm looking for 

But I still haven't found What I'm looking for...

What are we looking for? Why even look? Soon enough, it'll all be over, some say.
The Bible makes many interesting claims. For example in Galatians chapter 6 it discusses the new way of the Christ and the life of his followers. In a phrase, "For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deluding himself." 
Here a life of delusion is mentioned. But what is the context? Perhaps it's a caution about comparing oneself to others, since each is a reflection of the divine Creator, and as such possesses his or her own unique talents and gifts. If this is true, then what are we looking for--and why would we look outside our own selves? Yet in the chapter, Galatians makes it clear that the community is important, that the community matters as a development of faith.

Is not love of one's neighbor an action that means to encourage and support each in their unique goodness and well-being? Galatians chapter 5 affirms this thought: "For you were called to freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love"
This is the Christ way.

Treasures, Doing What We Believe

"Everyone benefits from the sacrifice of gifts that one makes of time, talents and treasure." -- Benedict XVI

It's about putting our faith into action, putting our energies to what matters, being stewards.At its heart the good steward is the good shepherd, caring for ones flock and making provisions for the day to day existence of self and others. It's more than just thinking about material resources.

We believe in the "Giver of Life," our lives as co-creators, that the Lord is the source of infinite abundance. Yet the more we attempt to take, to control, the less we actually have. It's like holding water in our cupped hands and squeezing. It quickly flows away from us.

Only when we relax our grip does the water remain. Doing what we believe involves faith; belief in what we may not yet see, but know deep in our heart; it's making a choice, one small step at a time, to acknowledge our inter-dependence, our inter-being with all of Creation.
Stewardship, then, lies at the heart of the Christian lifestyle. In actuality it's how we live our daily lives which gives evidence of our belief in the Gospel message, in the Good News.

St. Teresa of Avila, mystic and saint, wrote that 'Christ has no body but your own, he has no hands but yours. Yours are the eyes and ears of the Lord through which he is to go about for actions of the Good. Your hands are the hands, like his own, blessing people in the here and now."