The Ultimate Goal

I could not and I would not claim to know the mind of God. After all, his thoughts and his ways are greater than ours. But I do know that the Lord desires to have a relationship with all of us. A deeply profound and transformative relationship that brings us closer to him. One that improves our lives and the lives of those around us in ways we never imagined possible. And I do know that Jesus Christ died on the cross for us to have a chance at eternal salvation. And so my best educated guess on the ultimate goal in our Christian endeavors is to be saved, and help others on their path to salvation along the way. Having said this, I will cast aside my analytical and research-oriented mindset for just a moment and say this; I fear that we are not on the right track.

Three months ago, conservative firebrand and Turning Point USA's founder Charlie Kirk was fatally struck by an assassin's bullet. He leaves behind his widow and two children. Back to the present, we are still processing the news regarding the gruesome murder of a liberal actor and producer, Rob Reiner, along with his wife Michele Reiner. Though the circumstances surrounding each instance of these tragic events may seem very different, they both have one very important thing in common. Can you guess what it is? People are celebrating their deaths. I don't really know any other way to say this, other than to simply say that Christians should NEVER celebrate death. We should never celebrate it, mock it, make light of it, or become desensitized to it. And yet those from all political backgrounds fall prey to Satan's temptation, and strive to score political points and moments of earthly satisfaction by perpetuating a culture of death.

Rob Reiner was known for his outspoken liberal tone, and for directing some of the great classic movies like "The Princess Bride." Charlie Kirk was known for his fiery and conservative intellectual debates, and his devotion to Jesus Christ. Both men made harsh comments, but haven't we all? A lifetime of achievement for both of these men is not what gives them their inherent worth and dignity. Sure, these are some notable things to remember them by, but their true inherent worth and dignity indeed comes from the fact that they were both created in the image and the likeness of God. Just like you. Just like me. Just like everyone else on this planet.

When we celebrate, mock, or make light of someone's death, we are saying that the Lord's most important creations have no value. That we place no stock in what God does. That we have better judgement than God. That we deny Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. We fall victim to Satan's tempting venture into the world of wishing bad on people who frustrate us. And admittedly, I fell into this trap with someone about a year ago. The aftermath of my behavior, which was horribly uncommon of me, led myself and multiple others into a place of anger and misery. It took a lot of time, a lot of apologies on my behalf, and quite a bit of understanding to get back on track, and I took full accountability for my actions. So let my mistake serve as a grave warning to you. Do not go down this dark and twisted path. A few moments of basking in the suffering of someone you don't like is simply not worth it, by any measure.

Friends, we must always celebrate and promote life. We must always seek to protect life in all ways and forms. We must love our enemies, even when they are in their darkest moments. We must forgive. And we must forgive over and over again until our souls are pure again. It is not easy, and it probably does not sound fair, but it is exactly why Jesus told us that the path to heaven is narrow. Let us as Christians set the example of Christ that the world needs to see. Because most certainly today, the world needs to see it.

My deepest prayers and sympathies are with the Kirk and Reiner families as they navigate this difficult time.

Our Lady of Grace, Pray for Us.