Reading from June 19. And yes, it’s been awhile.

If you believe in God, He will give you life. That is, take you away from misery, pull you through the trials of life. It’s not always easy to be optimistic in a world that, to me, pulls you down more than supports you. Kicks you while you’re down. And the strange part is how many of these are of the faith, or closer to you than you think, that it makes me second guess the collective belief and strength of the church. Particularly, people I know.

But I would prefer not to question or judge. It is not my call, it is God’s. And Him alone. But even He, I’d think, would be forgiving regardless of how hypocritical they are. Not over time, instantaneously.

You see, how someone perceives something, regardless of the masses, is a reflection of their state of mind. Next time you hear someone speak, observe their choice of words, tone of voice, their spirit, their positive or negative undertone, and particularly energy level. It mirrors their internal state of mind. Hence, “Whoever does not believe has already been condemned.”

Since I realized this, I’ve come to a conclusion that I believe there are more troubled people out there than we realize. And it can have an effect around others more than you’d know. There’s a quote I knew: “Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?” Some are aware of and are able to control this, some are not.

I must admit that I’m barely of the highest of spirits, and therein lies my biggest flaw. Surrounding don’t exactly help when they’re not in line with what you should be doing, or what God wants you to do. At least that’s my theory, because those I know that are doing what they love, surrounded by people they love, are in stark contrast to the dejected, oppressed, hateful, negative, etc. Religion is something I understand well, but I have a tough time practicing everything out in the secular world that is so contradictory and suppressing of the belief system.

It does keep me going, though, in my case. Those that know, rather those that are doing God’s work, I am not so much concerned. But it is those that are worse off than myself that Catholics should be wary about, to extend a hand, to be a support, to offer the help they need.

Comment to begin discussion.

The Reading | Jn 3:16-18

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.