Our Attitude

by Mary Ann Halloran

“Your attitude must be that of Christ.” Philippians 2:5

Wow—it says “must be.” Yikes.

When we hear the saying that someone has an attitude, it is usually not in a positive light. It usually means an attitude of stubbornness, complaining, or self-pity.

It clearly states here in Philippians that our attitude must be that of Christ. I want to add to that... and also like His dear Mother Mary. After all, it is likely that Jesus, in part, learned this attitude of humility and service from His mother as He grew up.

The reason I mention Mary is that the more I read of her life, the more I want to be like her. With all the sufferings she endured traveling to Bethlehem pregnant, I just don’t imagine her complaining and raising a fuss to Joseph all the way there. When they finally made it to the stable, I can’t hear her saying, “Is this the best you could find, Joseph?”

I mean, what would I have done? Would I have whimpered and whined and wallowed in self-pity? Or would I have been grateful to have a place to have my baby, knowing my husband did the best he could?

Christ lying in a manger of straw was obviously God’s will. God didn’t want His Son born in an inn. He wanted Him to be born simple and poor, in the lowest of places, with the shepherds and sheep as their guests. Joseph and Mary didn’t know this ahead of time.

Things come at us all the time. Life's circumstances can be really tough. The way we handle these circumstances depends on our attitude and our faith in God. People with a positive attitude trust in God and find something good in the situation that radiates and lifts up other people’s spirits, including their spouses and children. It is refreshing to find this exemplary attitude in the people I meet: cheerful and peaceful even through difficult trials, who try to make the best of things.

Recently, I read these words in a small meditation book by the late Rev. James E. Sullivan:

“Goodwill is the will that cheerfully accepts God’s Will. Goodwill means taking things as they come and making the best of what happens. That wonderful, co-operative, cheerful attitude of goodwill—how absolutely lovely it made her [the Virgin Mary].”

Of course, we can’t do this without the grace of God. We must ask for help to put on the attitude of Christ.

Perhaps as we continue in this Advent season, we can pray for the grace to share His “goodwill toward others” through our positive attitude.

God bless,

Mary Ann / Mother Hen