KNOTS........

 *KNOTS*

Here is an anecdote.  A wise man gave his disciples a towel. The disciples examined it and said, it is a useful piece of cloth. Next, the wise man took the towel and tied knots at either ends. Now the disciples examined it and said, it is useless, it is has lost its original purpose.  Then the wise man asked his disciples, what should we do to restore it to the original. They answered, untie the knots!!!

Our lives are like this towel. At our birth, we discovered in ourselves the image and likeness of God.  Over the years, we began to find ourselves tied up by the knots of life.  

*Physical knots:* we spoilt our health by over eating, wrong eating habits, abusing our bodies, etc. *Emotional knots:*  we got ourselves entangled by our anger, hatred, jealousy, envy, suspicions, fear, anxiety, etc.  

*Social knots:* we got entangled by unhealthy friendships and companions, entered into wrong relationships, etc. 

*Intellectual knots:* wrong ideas, faulty thoughts, weird and abnormal thinking,  etc. 

*Psychological knots:*  entangling  our feelings, thinking and behaving, addictions, etc. 

*Religious knots:* entangled ideas on religion, theology, scripture, rituals, superstitions, etc. 

*Financial knots:* living unbudgeted lives, loans, credit cards, etc.  

*Excessive activity:* stress, burnout, no quality time for self, family, community, hobbies.

*Net result:* reduce and lose out possibility of growing to become the image and likeness of God. 

Untying these knots of life, many of which are our own creation, is a conscious and deliberate task if we wish to become a new creation.

*Some steps and ways of unraveling these knots.* 

*Self-realization and awareness:*  discovering my true self and accepting the knottiness that I find myself in. 

*Desire  for change:* I must want and will to change.  Being complacent with one's life-style will bring no change. 

*Take necessary steps toward change, including seeking professional help if needed:*  Like Zaccehaus, come down from the tree at once and encounter the Lord.  A regular life of prayer, sacraments (especially confession), spiritual guidance, etc. Addictions can be overcome through professional help.   

*Live under the grace of God:* accept the grace that God gives us to change while there is still time. 

*Mary the Unraveller of Knots* is a favorite of Pope Francis, who seeks her intercession in helping him to untie  the knots in the Church.   

It is possible for each of us to move from hatred, anger, stubbornness, etc., of life to live in love, peace, joy and service. If only we live under the wisdom, grace and love of the Lord.  

  

(Reflection by Fr Trevor D'Souza, OFM.  Published on 18/09/2020)