If you could change anything about the world, what would you change? Why? Let's face it, the world is in desperate need of change. The world is a mess. There is violence everywhere. Sexual promiscuity and deviancy is accepted, even encouraged. We have greedy heads of industry and even greedier politicians. Whether you see it or not, death is surrounding all of us through abortion, assisted suicide, and other forms of murder. We need change.
But how can you, how can I, change the world. We may think, I'm just one person, I can't change anything. We may feel that the powers that have made this world such a mess cannot be overcome. We have a very difficult road ahead of us if we truly want to change the world, if we truly want to bring the principals of Christian love back into this world. But we have to begin somewhere.
So, where do we begin? Do we begin with abortion? Do we begin with the culture of sex? Do we overhaul corporations and the government to remove the greed from them? All lofty goals and worthy causes, but they are too big for us to handle. Where do we begin, then? I think that in order to answer that question, we need to look at how we got here. Matthew Kelly, in Rediscovering Catholicism says that: "The world is this way because of people like you and me. Our thoughts, words, actions, and inaction have all contributed to create the world today."
Do you want to change the world? Start by changing yourself. We all--all of us, you and me--have contributed to the despair that our culture is currently in. We do this through placing things ahead of people. We do this by putting our selfish desires ahead of everything else. We want to live comfortable lives. We don't want to suffer or sacrifice anything in our lives. I'm a victim of this, too! We all are.
If you want to change the world, give of yourself. Give of yourself without thought of what's in it for you. Give your love, give your time, give your possessions, give your food, give your money. Let go of what you want. Sacrifice everything. Don't just give until you feel better. Give until it hurts.
These is a very difficult challenge. It is a very scary prospect to give it all, to give until it hurts. I don't know if I can do it. But it's what Christ did. He didn't stop giving until he felt better about Himself. He gave until it hurt. And the pain He endured is far greater than the pain we will endure.