The Lens We Look Through Transforms the Way We Look at Things
WHAT’S YOUR LENS?
As many of you saw by my selfie with him, I had the great pleasure of being with Cardinal Burke today. Also, I had some wonderful prayer time, and a long drive, both of which gave me time to reflect.
When we first met, alone in the sacristy, it was as if we looked at each other with “knowing eyes.” Of course, everyone understands Cardinal Burke is under tremendous assault. But, Cardinal Burke is also aware that I have been under attack as well. We both reassured each other that we were praying for each other, while we groused about the devil.
As I spent some quality time thinking about these kinds of attacks, I pondered what it was that leads some to go on vicious assaults. I even made a comment to Cardinal Burke that, “The world seems filled with those who look at a good thing and somehow see bad.”
Then it dawned on me. That’s it! I began to look back on the cast of characters from which I have received negative rebukes. If there was one thing that summed them all up, it was this … they all seemed to be dealing with depression. I would say the same about those who look for anything of which to accuse Cardinal Burke … a very strong case could be made of them, as well … depression.
You see? This is the Hell of those who struggle with depression. They have a “glass half empty” lens from which they view people and the world … they tend to focus on what is wrong, or even choose to see something as bad or wrong, when the world is seeing something completely different.
People not suffering from depression will, for the most part, choose to look for the good in others, and even give them a great deal of latitude. At least, this is their default view of others. They always seem to find the good and the beautiful in others and in nature itself.
People suffering from depression have an opposite view … they ascribe evil intentions onto others as their default view of their fellow man. The most beautiful Summer day (like all of them on my vacation last week) can be viewed as too hot, too humid, too windy or whatever, for those suffering from depression. There just seems to be very little that can stir up joy in their sad-soaked souls.
I would go so far as to say this is the main reason so many need innovations in liturgy, theology … everything. Why? Because for those who are depressed, what we have or had is “bad” or “wrong” or whatever … it needs to change or “progress” or “evolve” or anything else than what it is. Thus, we see so many varying interpretations of the way the Church was in the past … some saw sacred beauty, awe and wonder … while others saw … well, I never understood what they seemed to see.
I have great compassion for those who suffer from depression, and seem to have a very dark and negative view of others and the world. But, they sure wreak havoc in their attacks and demands on those around them.
Let’s pray that their dark lens can be transformed into – not necessarily rose colored glasses – but the eyes of Christ.
Also, please pray for Cardinal Burke.
