Save the Drama

By Stacy LaMorte

Unfortunately, over the past couple of weeks I have heard or read multiple stories of adults in Catholic church parish groups or committees being downright ugly to one another.  

Women on church bazaar committees gossiping and planning the downfall of another; men in a bible study spouting prejudice against other groups, and a seminarian I was coaching literally citing that as one reason he was doubting becoming a priest, not wanting to have to settle disputes between people volunteering at his parish.

I know we are human, and we are all going to make mistakes but, before you volunteer to chair a committee or lead a church or school group, examine your reason why you are about to invest your time and talents in that activity.  Is it for power and vainglory? Is it for praise or recognition? Is it pride that you don’t think anyone else would be able to do it as well as you would? Or is it truly to bring greater glory to God and his church here on earth?  

In 2 Chronicles 16:9, the Bible says, “The eye of the Lord is constantly watching everyone.”

God knows your heart and your intentions. This is true when we are only focused on ourselves and self-promotion, but this is also true when we are humble and give all glory to God for a job well done.  

So, if you know your heart is not going to be in the right place, don’t volunteer; the Holy Spirit will call on someone else whose intentions are pure. More than our children are learning from what we say, they are learning from what we do.  Let them see you doing something that utilizes your gifts, brings you joy and, ultimately, brings greater glory to God!