We Learn From Our Mistakes

-

We learn from our mistakes; I grew up hearing this saying.  I realize that I never gave it much thought, and pretty much accepted it as a sensible way to approach things. However, there are days, in fact many more lately, that I think... "If we really learn from our mistakes, why the heck are repeating them over and over?"  I'm not just referring to us as individuals, but also to humankind in general.  As one looks at the history of humankind, we see the same destructive behaviors play out in various places throughout the world over and over again.

Just when we think, "It can't get much worse" it does...because the destructive behaviors get more heinous, and the response gets worse because there is less of an outrage and more acceptance. It's almost like, if we don't talk about it, it doesn't exist.  Kind of alike a child hiding their eyes at the scarry parts of a movie.

It also brings to mind another "old saying"...Don't rock the boat...Too often we tend to not challenge others or enter into conversations with them when they either do something destructive or voice support for other's destructive behaviors because WE don't want to start any trouble.  As a result, the person with the destructive behaviors continues on spreading their venomous views and rallying their fellow supporters to continue spewing their vile ideals.

As one studies Holy Scripture, various examples of destructive behaviors throughout history can be found.  The entire story of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ is filled with these examples, as well as many stories from the Old Testament.  

However, Holy Scripture also gives us hope, as found in the following passage when Jesus tells us

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

For me, the key to understanding and living out this commandment is that while I may not approve of someone's words or actions, and I believe that there are and should be real consequences for their behavior, I feel that the ultimate judgement will come when that person must face the Lord.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Starting Over

-
Over the past several months, I have heard from several people that they really miss reading my reflections on life and living as a Christian in a world that challenges us to do so.  I must say, that I too have missed putting my thoughts down.  This is something that I have been doing for about twelve years, ever since I was ordained as a Deacon. Since I am "retired" and not currently affiliated with a particular parish, I decided to use this blog as a vehicle to publish my ramblings to those who might be interested in reading them. It is my hope to publish at least once a month, but since I have complete control, I just might publish more often, or sometimes less... especially if Sarah and I are off on an adventure. Right now, I am going to be working on some design choices for this blog page and let's see where we end up.
Read more

Memories

-
As I sit down to write this, the Season of Lent is soon to be over. Growing up in a Polish family with grandparents who were all born in Poland meant that there were many traditions associated with Lent.  There was fasting and abstaining from eating particular foods and having just basic meals at dinner time.  This was to help us to learn and remember that Jesus suffered so much in the weeks leading up to His brutal death. But on Easter day, the day that we celebrate the Resurrection, the most important day in Christianity, we celebrated with all of those special foods so lovingly prepared by hand.  Some of the foods were so special that they were never prepared or served at any other time of the year.  This was THE holiday... it was always so memorable.  Even though I have not had many of these special foods for decades, as I write about them, I can taste them and smell them. But you know what, the more important thing that I learned and have always remembere...
Read more

Weeds

-
  WEEDS As I write this, I am able to look out my window and see part of my neighbors’ house.   There is a planting bed running the full length of their house.   I see day lilies and iris plants and then… a giant crabgrass plant.    Oh, the horror, I’m thinking to myself, the neighbors are attempting to sell that house so that weed has to go!!!   If a potential buyer sees that weed, they are going to question the desirability of the entire house and use that as an excuse to offer a much lower price. Suddenly, I started to think about holy scripture, especially this: Jesus Explains the Parable of the Weeds 36  Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.”  37  He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man;  38  the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children...
Read more