#needful

Needful Magic, no. 63

“What will they think?”

It’s a simple question. And a powerful one. When it comes to stopping us, when it comes to keeping us from doing something.

We’ve got an idea, an impulse to do something or say something.

But we worry about someone reacting badly. Or misunderstanding us. Or saying something critical.

So we don’t. It never happens. And that idea, that impulse flickers and fades, like a dying candle.

When it comes to something we didn’t think through or just something mean or petty, maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

The problem comes when we let “what will they think” become our go-to. When we let “what will they think” become all-powerful.

And instead of being a simple stop and think before you act, it becomes a reason to never act.

Even when that idea, that impulse is something good, something kind, something that someone needs.

Because we can guarantee that no one will ever react badly. Or misunderstand us. Or say something critical. If we don’t.

This is exactly what Jesus is pushing back against in today’s Gospel.

Because when you and I have that impulse to do something good, something kind, something that someone needs, we need to recognize what it really is.

That is a movement of the Holy Spirit within in us. Helping us to turn towards God, in very practical, everyday ways. Helping us to take the next step in becoming who God made us to be.

Because God made us to say and do the good, the kind, the needful. To roll up our sleeves, and live out our vocation to love.

And because that’s who God made us to be, our go-to needs to be giving in to that holy impulse, that movement of the Spirit within us.

Today, ask God for the grace to give in to that holy impulse. And to stop worrying about what “they” will think.