Conspiracy Theory
Lent – Preparing for Holy Week
“They don’t like me,” her daughter insists.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because of the way they look at me.”
She tries to explain to her children that every upset or angry look they see on someone’s face doesn’t always have to do with them. It could be any number of concerns they might be thinking about she explains to no avail. Her children continue to insist that anyone who doesn’t smile at them the minute they walk into the room is against them.
Sometimes paranoia can get the best of us, no matter our age, whether real or imagined.
Conspiracy theories run rampant. They prey on people’s distrust and paranoia. We see plots everywhere. Certainly there are times when this is warranted. Times when we may experience gossip, whispering behind our back. Sometimes there are forces at work against us, plotting against us. Certainly this was the case for Jesus. The religious leaders had been plotting for some time how to get rid of this trouble maker. Jesus was aware of the plots against him, even knew who his betrayer was. Yet he did not let public opinion or plots sway him from his path.
More often than not, when we think others are speaking about us, plotting against us, we are wrong. We are letting our imagination get away from us. What makes us so important that others would bother about us. Most people are too busy about their own lives to worry about us.
And for those times that they are actually talking about you behind your back, remember the example of Jesus and just be about the work of the Father. Confronting your attackers will just give them more ammunition to use against you. Hold your head up high and keep your eyes on Jesus.
I hear the whispers of the crowd, terrors are all around me. They conspire against me; they plot to take my life. But I trust in the Lord. Psalm 31:14-15a
This post is part of a series of reflections on the Church year. This week we are preparing for Holy Week. Click here to follow this blog
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