By Fr. Glenn Jones:

So, we come to the end of a long Independence Day weekend—a time of celebration and rejoicing in our freedoms and our nation, and yet this year terribly marred by the tragedy of a number of young girls and others lost in flooding down in Texas. People inevitably ask at such times: “Why does God allow this?!!” … a question for which we have no adequate response—the mystery of human suffering. Even if we had some irrefutable answer for it, parents and family are in no condition to receive it with wounds so fresh and so deep.

And yet, in our faith, we have little doubt that such little innocents are enfolded in the arms of God, now to never again know earthly pains and trials. Indeed, it is children at these little ones’ age that Jesus held close: “Jesus … called the children to himself and said, ‘Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’” (Luke 18:16)

Yet such sorrowful events can aid us in re-evaluating that which is important and of true value … IF we use them as catalysts for charity as Heaven’s newest little charges would want us to do. Such times bring families and friends together in closeness and renewed love, confronted starkly with the brevity and fragility of human life in which we “can know neither the day nor the hour.” That renewed realization of the uncertainty of our length of days also makes us take stock of our lives—where have I done good, and where have I failed to do so? Those little ones’ families and friends will no doubt mentally punish themselves—rightly or wrongly—thinking of lost times together, opportunities now gone forever. So, review relationships and how we cultivate them, remembering that it is not money or power or fame that is a true legacy, but rather how much we love and are loved.

So often we become concerned—sometimes even obsessed—with irrelevances. We look at headlines or websites and are attracted to what’s “going viral”, or “has America talking”, or how “actress X sizzles in new outfit” and such other. There are studies that young girls especially, are susceptible to the number of “Likes” or followers they receive … or lose. But in the end, what does worthless attention matter? Why so thirsty for attention, or for being “trendy”? I would imagine that it’s sourced in our innate social desire and accompanying feeling of security of being part of a larger group. But it is so much more admirable to focus on things that actually matter, things like charity, kindness, selflessness, graciousness, integrity, a humble and modest spirit … those things which are truly admirable. In real virtue is our real worth, because in real virtue is godliness.

The world, media, social media, etc., tend to make us think that we don’t matter because we’re not rich or famous or highly skilled. But we Christians then remember Mary, a peasant girl in a tiny town called Nazareth … yet because of her purity of heart was chosen for the greatest honor imaginable: to bear God’s very Son. Or Peter, Andrew, James and John … simple fishermen who would impact the world. Or Matthew, previously despised by his own people as a tax collector for his people’s conqueror. And, of course, there’s Jesus Himself, who although divine, chose to be born in a stable, live as a common workman … to die on a cross as a criminal.

As when the prophet Samuel, seeking to anoint a king and impressed by the oldest of Jesse’s sons, we read: “… the Lord said to Samuel: ‘Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart.’”  (1 Samuel 16:7) This would later be echoed in David’s psalm: “[God’s] delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs [re: strength, power] of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” (Psalm 147:10-11))

More modernly we might remember Mother Teresa.  By worldly standards, Mother Teresa was nothing—a tiny little nun working in an Indian slum. Yet she influenced millions simply by reflecting Christ’s love of charity, love and care for the poor and the helpless. As she said: “God does not call us to be successful; He calls us to be faithful.” Nonetheless, true success—that of following Jesus in His love and charity—lay well within the scope of every human being; he just need choose to do so. We may not make a visible splash in the larger world’s eyes in our lives—certainly not like Mother Teresa, and certainly not like Jesus, but neither is it necessary. With prayer and doing that which is right and good, we benefit countless others.

It’s like the Christmas movie: “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Ol’ George Bailey despaired, seeing himself a failure … but then Clarence the angel shows George how his small, good actions over his lifetime had had great effect in more people than he could ever have imagined.  For God loves humility, not arrogance: “This is the man to whom I approve, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” (Isa 66:2) It was not the rich and powerful and famous who were given the vision of angels to first announce the birth of Jesus, but rather the humblest of all: the shepherds in the field.

So, as Jesus implores us:  “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life…”  (John 6:27) And as we read from the prophet Jeremiah: “I, the Lord, alone probe the mind and test the heart … To reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

Pray for the families of those young children lost to us. Yet, in our faith and with our own life’s work for good still ahead, we say to those little ones as did Maximus’ companion at the end of “Gladiator” in reminiscence of his deceased friend: “We WILL see you again.”

“But not yet. Not yet.”

Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.