Our biggest problem is one we create ourselves. Each of us is a unique individual. But being unique does not necessarily mean we are special, in the sense of being better than others. No. We are different from one another, but we are living beings who bring together a set of variables in a unique way. If we view ourselves as if we were conducting an experiment, why is it that instead of observing and trying out things that have the desired effect, or that prevent the undesired outcome, we continue to insist on looking at the “neighbor”?
Not looking at the neighbor with concern, empathy, and a willingness to help if he or she needs it. But rather, the gaze of comparison.
That comparison takes a starting point that isn’t true. We can’t expect two things, or two distinct elements, to ever be the same. They may be similar, but comparison only leads us to take a reference point and look at what we have in relation to that reference point we’ve chosen.
After all, since we are all different yet equal in our imperfection—or rather, in our lack of total perfection—if we wish to compare ourselves to something, we should not do so with our fellow human beings. Nor with our neighbor. He, too, is not perfect, and we should not view him as such.
I took this biblical passage as the starting point for my reflection today.
! The full text of John 21:20-25 in the The New International Version (NIV) reads:
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"Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”). When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
For non-believers, there is no being they can point to as the embodiment of perfection. As a Catholic, I see Jesus as a point of reference—someone who came into the world and left a message that, even today, is not fully understood, or if it is, is not put into practice.
Not comparing ourselves to our neighbor is not a limitation that “God imposes on us,” but rather a challenge for us to attain freedom of spirit. If we focus on our actions, looking toward a higher standard rather than at our peers and equals, we always aspire to something more perfect—something that drives us to be better and do better.
Looking to the side only makes us feel incomplete, or inferior or superior to those we are comparing ourselves to.
SOMETHING WE SEE A LOT OF TODAY. Even entire nations want to dominate others, without regard for the methods used to subjugate them, and without doing anything to improve themselves.
Leaving things better than we found them, I believe, is in fact the most “Christian” attitude we can have.
We should not be concerned with others—as Peter was with Judas—merely to see if they will be punished or if they fare better than we do. We tend to view life in a very utilitarian way. If I do this or that, I will get this or that result. We forget that results can vary. And we cannot let comparison place an even greater burden on our shoulders—one that prevents us from moving forward.
Keep moving forward.
The consistency of your actions will determine your destination and the path you take.
To reach the top of the mountain, we sometimes have to stop along the way and look at the map and the compass, and see the obstacles ahead of us. Reaching the top of the mountain is not the goal.
It is merely a step.
Once we are at the top, we must descend.
We cannot stay forever on a mountaintop. The view is beautiful. But the air grows thin...
We must resume the path back down to the foothills... Where life is truly lived.
Image by Ralf Ruppert from Pixabay
Original text written by 
Biblical passage taken from: https://worthy.bible/bible/parallel/john/21/20/25
