The Church and individuals find themselves living in a time of internal unrest unsure of which way to turn.  Prior to this moment in time not much in our lives have prepared us for what we face.  The media and even our families challenge all we thought we knew and understood about life and the world in which we live.  Words like "marriage" no longer have simple definitions.  One may be considered narrow-minded and out of step with popular culture if he or she does.  I would like to humbly suggest that it is time—on both personal and corporate levels—for self examination.

I love the parable of Jesus of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel of Luke 15:11-31.  The Bible states that after living a riotous life and ending up caring for pigs (an animal that as a Jew he should never touch, nevertheless, care for), he came to himself.  I am not suggesting that the Church has led a riotous life in terms of sin nor am I equating memberships in the Body to swine.  However, the Church today is called and yet unprepared to handle matters that even our Church Fathers, if they had lived, would have never dreamed of confronting.   Therefore, my question for the Church, the body of Christ—and my Christian sisters and brothers, individually—is, have we come to ourselves?  I believe that coming to one’s self requires a level of introspection that neither the Church nor individuals seem in a hurry to do.  However, I believe, personal assessment will help to reconcile where we have come from, where we are, and where we want to go.

In times, such as the ones we find ourselves in, our communities need the Church and Christian individuals to be reflective enough to be servant-leaders.  Pointing one’s finger at others is cowardly, especially if we haven’t taken time to determine our own contribution to challenging situations that prevail in our own lives, families and communities.  After we have spent time reflecting, we need to arise, with God-given grace, prepared to forgive ourselves and others.  We must be determined to help ourselves and others make sense out of our 21st Century lives.  There is plenty to be done and purposeful roles for the laity, clergy and the church to fulfill.  Prayerfully, God will guide our every step and word, as we walk into the fullness of our personal callings to be the "salt of the earth."

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