Becoming Our Best Self

Burnand's  The Disciples Peter and John Running to the Tomb

On Thursday, we celebrated the National Day of Prayer.  Rabbi Goldstein, who was wounded at the California synagogue that was recently attacked, shared a message: when we are faced with the darkness of evil, we must counter the darkness with light. The Rabbi pointed to the power of prayer to grow in the light of goodness.

In the Book of Acts, the Sanhedrin or the Jewish supreme court, so to speak, wants the disciples of Jesus to stop proclaiming the good news. But Peter and the other disciples boldly state that they will obey God. God, Peter declares, exalted the crucified Jesus. He is alive, risen, and among us.

The book of Revelation describes a visionary, mystical, heavenly experience in which countless creatures cry out that Jesus, the Lamb slain for us, is worthy to receive power and riches, wisdom and honor, and glory and blessing. The author may be asking us, do we know our purpose in life: to be in relationship with God forever:God abiding in us and we abiding in God.  What an incredible gift to us.

The Gospel highlights a post-resurrection experience at the Galilee shore. Jesus tells the disciples, who had been fishing all night and caught nothing, to cast their nets again. Lo and behold, they make a huge catch. John recognizes the Lord.  So too does Peter, who only recently denied he knew Jesus but then wept bitterly and begged forgiveness for his betrayal.

Peter, aka Simon, became the leader or rock among the disciples,betrayed Jesus three times,  witnessed his resurrection, shouted from the rooftop in Jerusalem that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, worked signs and wonders, evangelized throughout the eastern Mediterranean, and eventually was martyred in Rome in the 60s. Two New Testament letters are attributed to Peter.

Although Peter often appears impetuous, he always was ready to admit a mistake, to make amends. In the end, Peter became someone you could trust, a man of character. As someone said, “The true measure of character is what you do when nobody’s watching.” Within all of us, there is a tension to choose our better or our worse selves. Catholic Christianity calls this “original sin” or “the fall from grace.”

Many try to explain why people behave the way they do. I prefer to emphasize an informed conscience. Conscience is associated with our feelings—we sometimes feel guilty about things we do or don’t do—yet conscience is more than feelings. Conscience is a power of judgment, our moral compass, so to speak, about the goodness or badness of our behavior and attitudes. Our conscience is a friendly guide in our quest for fulfillment as authentic human beings.

Men and women of character try to be true to their inner best selves: to take a stand on principle and conscience—yes, an informed conscience.

Finally, I like to think that the quality of our life and our soul's destiny will be measured by our character: going the extra mile to help someone in need; living up to our promises; working for the common good; trusting always in a good and compassionate God who is ever near to us and will will bring us into eternal life.