Do you ever wonder where Boundaries have gone? They seem to have disappeared in many situations. God gave us the tools in the Commandments and teachings in scripture to help us decide for ourselves where we put borders in our lives. It isn’t always clear or easy to know where we need to place some boundaries. Of course, one can never go wrong with “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31) Would I want this to happen to me?
Boundaries can include physical, emotional, intellectual, and financial. Have you ever been asked a very personal question that you consider out of line, been run into with a buggy in the grocery line, asked, “how do you know someone, have a person step in and interject their thoughts while speaking in a small group, monopolize a conversation, or any number of other breaches? What of the intrusive behavior of some with their cell phone use? Those who can clearly see signage that indicates No Admittance, and choose to ignore and enter? There are lines on our roads, banks and athletic events to create barriers, and yet these are ignored as well. Unhealthy patterns of behavior may be uncharitable, and exceedingly annoying. Most of us find it difficult to follow what Jesus taught us in (Mathew 5:37) “to be direct and honest” in sharing our thoughts. It takes courage to communicate our feelings. Unhealthy boundaries may come from your own values, wants, needs or selfish behavior. Remember the adage of” do not discuss religion and politics?” This was another form of barrier that prevented divisiveness. Many of our boundaries are for our own protection or that of others.
Isn’t it time to open our eyes and ask God to help us all see more clearly and respect boundaries that are in all our paths. As we read in one of the prayers of the Mass, “Oh God, who founded all the commands, of your sacred Law upon you and of our neighbor, grant that by keeping your precepts, we may walk in peace and harmony with each other.” Amen.