This attitude is a good one. According to Fr. Spitzer's "Priciples of Life and Levels of Happiness" which are derived from an Aristotelian Philosophy of Friendship, appreciation is not the end all. Service to God; LOVE is Ultimate! The battle will for ever seem to be an unrequited love. But isn't that Jesus's life death and resurrection in a nut shell. The work is begging for the grace to suffer a union with Christ; giving all for the Father, without counting the cost or even asking "What is in it for me Lord.," because "Christ has already given His Blood for Love of me. He has DIED ON THE CROSS AND RISEN FROM THE DEAD FOR MY SAKE!" What more could anyone ask for, and asking for more is actually quite arrogant.
The pain of these past crisis has compelled me to draw the lines of a shared goal for friendship. I am only here on this earth to love and point to LOVE. Meditating on the infinite possibilities; consequences, of Love is my favorite interior past time. I can only hope and trust I am following the example of Jesus when I draw those lines. Yes, invite the relationship, but don't stay in the relationship voluntarily if the other image of God is unwilling to be loved, or served, not by me, but God whom I serve.
Luke 18:18-23 (with the context of vss. 24-30 also)[18] A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
[19] "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good -- except God alone. [20] You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'"
[21] "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
[22] When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
[23] When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.
Jesus laid out the lines, and let the young man walk away from him. Jesus didn't beg him to stay, with all the Rich Young Man's baggage! He said Sell what you have.... then come follow me. Jesus had boundaries. He couldn't work with the broken wounded heart of the Rich Young Man attached to his wealth.
As stated in a past post, I have a tendency to fear "social anemia". But I am getting over it. Take it or leave it. I can start out my friendships on the level of utilitarian, it is known to be a natural progression of friendship. I actually maintain many relationships this way. My neighbors, to a point. I can give {and give) to the little neighbor girl across the alley, but if the Mother will not engage in a cooperative respectful formational dialog with me over an event in my backyard concerning her daughter, I don't have to have her daughter back in my yard. If and when I am able to work out some mutually understood boundaries that will help the little image of God and my own little images of God, make some "good choices", back yard privileges will be restored.
The coward is the man who can't take the uncertainty of LOVE. God gave us a free will to live with, in and through Him. This LOVE in action is... Jesus, sadly but respectfully watching the Rich Young Man (RYM) move on to...maybe, make more wealth for himself while the poor go hungry. RYM may have returned with empty pockets and a full heart after some reflection and time. Maybe even after Christ's resurrection. We do not know. Since we perceive the world saying "No! and even "Hell No!" to the love of God, the RYM looks to us like an object of Christ's unrequited love.
After several social presence crisis, I want to have learned not to be a coward and to ask the hard questions. "What are you giving me this Love for God? For what purpose is my heart exploding for this adventure, association or person in front of me?" I don't want to waste time, but I do.... by imagining the worst case scenario. Or being a coward, failing the invitations because of my unbelief. "Good God, my own children think I am "off" sometimes, and you God, are asking me to stand on what small limb? No, I don't want to ask my friend to let go of his/her attachments and follow you, are you kidding? THEY MIGHT WALK AWAY!!! As if it didn't happen to you first." Yes, they may walk away, and never see you again...on this earth.
And Jesus thirsts for my love and my neighbors. Maybe I better get Him a drink.
