Bitter or Better

To be bitter or better, that is the question. One would think the choice would be easy to make. However, what does our internal will prompt us to do?

The reasons for bitterness are plenty. Among them—social, political, and economic injustice, disenfranchisement, hypocrisy, and double standards, coupled with a pandemic that continues to bear down on us. Many lives and livelihoods have been destroyed. And for these same reasons, we have a calling to be better.

Our Freedom

Truly our freedom is at stake. That is freedom from despondency that culminates with the loss of faith in God. As society becomes more secular with increasing divisions, we become more vulnerable to the forces that embitter and devastate so many lives.

Resentment, anger, and hate fortify bitterness. In this state, the hardening of the heart and soul is inevitable, closing off the conduit where loving goodness flows. The resulting damage tears at our humanity. The way to overcome the downward spiral caused by this formidable foe is to always strive to be better with God’s grace.

For this grace, Jesus Christ calls on us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Setting our sight on Heaven, we follow the way, the truth, and the life of our Lord. We tap into His infinite supply of loving mercy. God’s goodness shields our heart and soul so that love always prevails in whatever may be our circumstances.

With the grace of God, we recognize that our purpose in life is to participate in our Lord’s plan of salvation for ourselves and all of humanity. “God created us without us: but he did not will to save us without us” [CCC 1847]. Therefore, the decisions we make not only affect our lives and future in this world, but determine our eternal life.

How we respond to injustices, tragedies, and losses will either alleviate or exacerbate our troubles. Our choices will either preserve our God-given freedom or put it in peril. Do we allow bitterness to close ourselves off from God’s graces? Or, do we open wide our hearts and souls to God and to one another?

May Love Prevail

Without God’s loving grace, how can our world survive? Eventually, our world will be overwhelmed by the troubles and sufferings it has caused. To mend our bitter divisions, we must strengthen our bonds with Heaven.

Remember, Christ suffered the world’s pains of sin, sickness, and injustice as He laid out the path to Heaven for humanity. Vulnerable in sorrow, Christ cried out from his cross “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” [Matthew 27:46], but at no time did bitterness enter into his being. Nor did bitterness enter into his mother Mary as she witnessed her Son’s crucifixion for the sake of our salvation. With their hearts united, the love of God prevailed!

No matter how painful our burdens may be, together with our Lord, we can overcome them even in our sorrow. Therefore, united with our Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of our Blessed Mother, may we work together to heal our wounded world with God’s loving mercy so that bitterness can no longer permeate the heart and soul of humanity. Amen!