You might have heard of someone saying that they had to take two steps back to take one step forward. This probably resonates with many people in their frustration to achieve progress. However I say that this is not the Christian Way. I suggest that our steps forward may appear to be "for the good" according to society, yet time and again (salvation) history proves otherwise.
Let's center this thought on Christ. If we consider the Paschal Mystery, we might notice that in Jesus' life he often untwisted the distorted view of the many, the powerful and the sinner. Perhaps at no other time better, Christ's Passion revealed to humanity the divine wisdom of taking steps forward in order to achieve one step back. And seeing with eyes of faith, one step back is what was truly "for the good." Christ took three major steps forward, in the eyes of society, the many and the powerful who surrounded him while making His Way to Calvary. Every liturgical year on Passion Sunday, Catholics remember the many who jeered and mocked Christ, believing in their hardened hearts that what they witness was "progress for the good." Yet Christ knew that he must take those steps forward in order to take that great step back.
Christ's step back was his Death on the Cross, and in that Way, evil was conquered, sin forgiven and redemption completed. In his step back, Christ reclaimed for all of humanity, salvation. When we center our lives on Christ, we begin to see that it does take two steps forward to take that great step back.
Perhaps today we realize more than in the past the truth of this reality. Many families, due to economic strain and loss, have taken that necessary great step back so they can reclaim what is truly important. After years of "progress" and "success" we perhaps became complacent in our lifestyle. Yet (salvation) history proves to us that "one step back" may in fact be what is truly for the good.
Consider one simple example to end with: ABC's Extreme Home Makeover television show. I recall early on that those families whom they helped later had debt and taxes that became too burdensome. What was a wonderfully intended gesture, became a great burden. In the eyes of society what appeared to be two steps forward with a new house and a new life, turned into one great step back for the worse. The producers soon learned their lesson and worked to establish means of providing some "nest egg" so this wouldn't happen again. Seeing with eyes of faith, you might see that the producers of the show had to take "two steps forward" in order to take that "one step back" that lead them to provide what was more important that an extreme house, that being financial (and emotional) stability. I applaud them for what they have done and continue to do.
So next time you think that you are making progress, moving forward, be cautious. Yet know that your great one step back will soon help you reclaim what is true, good and beautiful.
