Making efforts to be better as a child of God

by Monsignor J. Robert Romero

We who are graced with sanctifying grace through the waters of baptism should make efforts to strengthen our life in God, as we are children of God. I point out three virtues that are helpful. These are empathy, compassion, and holding our tongue.

Empathy is seeing the world through other people’s eyes. Understanding each other helps us work at common causes. Let us try to engage with people different from ourselves and listen. Whether we are conservative or liberal, white or black, Christian or Muslim, let us try to ask questions and then listen.

Compassion is sympathy for the suffering of others, often including a desire to help. Practicing compassion has an effect of creating happiness in others and self. Behavior begets habit. Habit begets character. Before we know it, we are a compassionate person.

Holding our tongue is a product of self-control. The Letter of St. James says, “Consider how a small fire can set a huge forest ablaze. … For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:5b, 7-8). Speak no harm. When tempted to do otherwise, count to twenty, or pray the Our Father Prayer or Hail Mary Prayer before speaking. Say good things about one another and others.

These three virtues – empathy, compassion, and holding our tongue – help us as a person to love God and neighbor. They help us live our life as a child of God. If enough people are able to do so, then our city, state, nation, and world will become more human, more respectful, more loving.

[Ideas for “Making efforts to be better as a child of God” came from an article in USA TODAY: Monday, December 28, 2009, 13A. “The Forum: It’s time to look inward” by Oliver Thomas. To read that article, you can click here].