But on the inside…
- Monica Walton
- Oct 10
- 4 min read
At the time I left my previous Church Parish to move to the Gulf Coast, they were in the throes of a major renovation project. It was a long, arduous process that is finally coming to completion. Lo and behold, on my first weekend at my new Parish, they announced that renovations were about to commence. Seems I couldn't escape the dust and inconvenience of a church renovation this year!
Both renovations were giving the church buildings a "facelift" and some much-needed updating. They are both making a more welcoming entrance and a more beautiful worship space. It is good to take on such projects from time to time and renew our church homes so that they are beautiful and awe-inspiring when the Faithful arrive to glorify God. Churches are where we worship our omnipotent, all-powerful, loving God. They should not reflect the outside world.
As with any building project, when you start removing the old and weathered surfaces, the hope is that it will be an easy process. But on the inside … we often find a few problems hiding in the dark. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you find a few surprise gems. For instance, removing the worn and faded carpet at my new parish revealed a beautiful slate floor underneath that had been patiently waiting to be appreciated once again.
This got me thinking about my post last week, Uncovering what's underneath, and how the same is true for us humans. A person can appear old and weathered on the surface, but on the inside … you may find them to be very young at heart and seasoned with wisdom. Likewise, a person can appear very polished and composed on the surface, but on the inside … you may find them to be a bundle of nerves and fear.
When I went in for my annual mammogram last year, my body appeared to be normal and I felt completely healthy, but on the inside … they found cancer lurking and growing. Recently, I was experiencing some pain in my arm, and it appeared to be a big problem, but on the inside … scans showed that things are perfectly normal with no sign of cancer, THANKS BE TO GOD!
When I am on my knees praying before and during Mass, I may appear to be a woman deep in prayer. But on the side … my mind may be distracted by other intrusive thoughts. Sometimes when I am sitting in the pew, others may only see a woman waiting for Mass to be over. But on the inside … I am deep in prayer and in communion with the Holy Spirit.
When I am praying the Rosary with a group, we all appear to be in tune with the meaning of the words we are saying. But on the inside … my heart and mind may be tired, so I am basically only repeating memorized words. Sometimes when I am on my rosary walk, it may appear I am merely getting some exercise. But on the inside … my heart and mind are deeply captivated by the beautiful prayers of the Rosary, and I am sitting at the feet of Our Lord, praying with Our Mother Mary along the path.
When I first met a good friend years ago, she appeared to be aloof and uninterested in speaking to me. But on the inside … she was painfully shy about meeting anyone for the first time, and regrets that many people don't give her a second chance so that she can become more comfortable around them. Occasionally, I have met people who seemed truly concerned for my well-being and interested in meaningful friendship. But on the inside … they were only seeking information to later spread around in gossip circles.
The Daily Gospel Mass Readings this week feature stories revealing what's on the inside.
Monday ~ A scholar appears to know the law for obtaining eternal life, but on the inside … he doesn't understand what it means to live in the Word of God.
Tuesday ~ Martha appears to be burdened by the work she is doing for the Lord, but on the inside … she doesn't understand what it means to be in a personal relationship with Him.
Wednesday ~ The disciples appear not to know how to pray, but on the inside … they don't understand how to keep growing and deepening their prayer life.
Thursday ~ Jesus' parable about the friends appears to show the one friend as reluctant to answer their needy friend's plea for help, but on the inside … the Lord is teaching us to ask, seek, and knock on God's door, and trust that we will receive, find, and the door will be opened for us.
Friday ~ After Jesus drives out a demon, some in the crowd say that it appears He is using the power of evil, but on the inside … they do not want to pick up their crosses and follow Jesus, so they accuse Him and try to win support from others to follow them instead.
On Sunday, we will hear the story of The Cleansing of the Lepers ~ The ten lepers appear to recognize Jesus' compassion, but on the inside … only the foreigner—the outsider—recognizes Jesus' healing power and returns to give thanks for the great blessing granted to him.
As we make plans to celebrate the completion of the renovations at my former Parish and my new Parish, I want to be renewed myself so that my worship and praise embrace the spirit of the renewed buildings. I am focused on being intentional with my appearance and actions on the outside, and on the inside … I am working on the intentions of my heart and mind. I want my worship to be focused, and I want to glorify God worthily and leave behind the outside world while I am there.
We see others and think we know them, but do we know what's on the inside?
Others see us and think they know us, but do they know what's on the inside?
We all want to be seen and known, but are we honest about what's on the inside?
Does our outward appearance match our inward disposition?
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So good of you to bring to out attention that we must look deeper into a person and always give them a second, third, fourth, etc etc chance when we meet them. Some may turnout to be close friends and confidantes. Your thoughts on paper hit me right between my eyes. Love and blessings always. Teresa Davis
How very nice ….. a beautiful and timely reflection that captures the Gospel messages of the week and the powerful Gospel passage for Sunday ….. The Cleansing of the Lepers. God knows we need a great and powerful cleansing in our world at this time ! A cleansing that will eradicate the divisiveness and divisions that have become too prevalent !