Commitment to Change Will Cost Us

This past Sunday's Catholic Mass Readings were as follows:

First Reading: Second Kings 4:42-44
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18
Second Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6
Gospel: John 6:1-15

As far as their theme goes, they concentrate around the miracle Jesus performed in feeding thousands of people from just five barley loaves and two fish, with twelve baskets of fragments left over when all had their fill. How the priest, in his liturgy went from here to what struck a chord with me, I'm not quite sure...

What struck me in the Father's liturgy was when he said "commitment to change will cost us." He said it in a matter-of-fact tone, not begrudging the costs of change or suggesting any dangers of change, but rather pointing, with an air of urgency, that true commitment to change requires responsibility, dedication, and effort—including, but not limited to the personal level.

Just like last week, despite a change in priests, there were clear ties made to the fighting between Israel and Lebanon and continued hopes and prayers for peace. The Father’s point resonated with me beyond just this specific conflict. It really made me think about the ways in which I am (or not) living up to my desire for change—be it social justice, or more personal goals. Well, and it showed me that there is a world of difference and distance between a desire for something and a commitment to that same thing.

As important as desire is, I also know that I want more than just desire—I want results, and desires make for meager sustenance in the long run. (Don’t get me wrong, desires provide great initial boosts of excitement and energy…but I’m in this life for the long course, not the sprint.)

Of course, there are costs. Of course we should pay them…I mean, who really benefits from no taxes/tax cuts? (Okay, now I’m just dangerously bordering on beltway politics here, and the House’s attempt to couple a much needed hike in the federal minimum wage with a cut in estate taxes. More on beltway politics later.) For the matter at hand—commitment to change will cost us—it’s time to get serious about what change we want to bring about, and to get serious doing what needs to be done to make it happen.