We have been struggling in the pandemic-imposed isolation, where we have been forced to focus on ourselves and dear ones for survival. We also live in a competitive society in which life is presented as being “about me” rather than what I can do for the community that I belong to. This is a pagan view of competition. As we move out of the pandemic milieu and return to a more normal situation, let us try to move on from the concept that competition is about beating the “other guy” – perhaps even to a “crush, kill, destroy” mentality, with me coming out on top. There is a Christian approach to competition that is different. It is the approach of challenging the “other guy” to become better. I train and practice hard to become a better sportsman to challenge my opponents to do the same. If someone cheats me in business, rather than setting out on a vendetta to put him out of business through revenge or vituperative tactics, learn to build a better product that will attract customers and will put him out of business if he does not improve.
You know, I have been sitting alone in my small apartment, staring at the walls. I have found a company which sells murals with permanent or reusable adhesive wall paper. I bought a 5’ high by 8’ wide mural of Sedona. I can lean back and pretend I am looking outside my picture window at a local landscape all the way to the horizon. If anyone wants to see it, send me an email and I will attach a copy. But why am I telling you this in my spiritual message? On one hand, this type of mural can help restore some sanity to your mental and spiritual health in our isolation, but also because they have some wonderful spiritual murals which can decorate your home and inspire you to a greater presence of God by having them in your constant view. I am pasting in a couple of links below
https://www.magicmurals.com/presentation-in-the-temple.html
https://www.magicmurals.com/the-birth-of-christ.html
I think we all have heard that our Bishop, Michael Barber, was robbed at gunpoint last week. Let us not forget to pray for our clergy.
Peace and prayers,Dennis