Playing games

Gospel: Mt 11:16-19
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121523.cfm

The worst games we play are the ones we don’t realize we’re playing.

We tend to judge and scrutinize those who are acting differently than us or differently than we expect. We do this with everyone: religious leaders, bosses, co-workers, parents, children, strangers, friends, siblings, celebrities, politicians, etc. We expect so much from each other. Some of these expectations can be good, whereas others put unnecessary distance between us.

We tell ourselves narratives and have people play different parts. When someone doesn’t play their part correctly, it causes us tension and stress. We sometimes change the narrative or drive people to play their particular roles. It’s as if we are all playing a game except we have different rules, yet we expect everyone to play by ours. We make people characters in our stories instead of being present for them and loving them as the unique person they are.

What are some expectations you put on people? How can you see beyond those expectations and be truly present for them?