Since we do not see Him in all beings, our love in human relationships functions like shop keeping, we can give but little, yet we expect huge returns. We build walls of prejudice against people and think that these will protect us from imagined harm in the future.
Jean Vanier, talking of the importance of selfless relationships said that there is an importance of being with others, of entering into relationship, friendship with others, of “wasting time” together, sharing meals and laughter, to bring out the “playfulness” of the child in you.
The only way we can lower the barriers around our hearts is when we can see the Lord at play through all and through all happenings in life. A text in Matthew (25:31-46) urges devotees to see Jesus in the poor, the sick and the hungry.
Admiring this spirit of service among Christians, Carl Jung once wrote to a woman, “what astonishes me, is that you do not see Jesus in your own poverty, hunger and thirst. Don’t you realise that you too are imprisoned, in your own fears? Don’t you see that you too are sick?”
This is the point to consider, to see Jesus in ourselves too. There is a crying need to heal ourselves. Strangely, the healing can take place only with love and compassion that we selflessly show to others.
When we can love the Lord’s creatures as He made them, not for what they have achieved, not for how much power or money they have amassed, not as an investment for the favours they can grant you, but simply for what they are.
The ways of love are strange, the outward flow takes a u-turn and flows inwards to heal you.
Prarthna Saran, President Chinmaya Mission Delhi.