It's not enough to be nice

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Look around you. I suspect, like me, you haven't seen Jesus walking down the street. You haven't actually seen the physical person at a social gathering, at work, or sitting at your breakfast table.

In reality, one of the possible ways we CAN see Jesus is in one another.

It is the responsibility of each of us to live in such a way that others can see Jesus, especially since he is not walking around in a physical body.  We need to be careful that our own words and behavior do not drive people away, but attract.

Just being good, morally upright people--while a positive thing--is not enough.  We need to understand the motivation for such good behavior, if we are going to keep ourselves in check.

Without solid grounding--like belief in God--we will be easily moved to less virtuous behavior at the first challenge we face. Then, as our anger rises up, for example, we will lose our footing, and rather than self-correct, we will quickly become less of an example of Jesus!

The "problem" is, we are all human, and as such, we do fall into weakness. This explains why being good, without faith, is not enough.

It is our belief in God that helps us be better.  It is our belief in God that moves us to want to serve, love and be compassionate.  Without God, we may be nice people, but we do not enjoy the fullness of our humanity, which is embedded in God.

As we remember those who have given their life in service to our country, we know that their love of country and care for their fellow citizens is the motivation for their willingness to serve--and die--if necessary.

Their service is not shallow.  It is not empty.  Nor should the way we live our life be.

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Janet Cassidy
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