Two of the basic needs within all of us are those of being understood, and of being loved. Only too often do these needs go unfulfilled.
We laugh at the old expressions, "My wife doesn"t understand me." or , "My parents don't understand me" These expressions , far from being funny , may not be easily ignored. Let's define them as felt by the injured person. They may, very well mean:
She, (Or he ) , doesn't really care much about me.
I've become cynical about almost everyone, because no one cares.
I'm depressed half the time , can't you see that?
I have very little self-confidence now - and so it goes!
We read of a terrible crime, and what is our reaction: "How could he do something like that?" Well, friends feeling that no one knows, or cares that he even exists, what can we expect from the man?
A child becomes a "prodigal Son" , (Or daughter), because of what they have as unfulfilled love or attention! And here again, we may well see heartbreak upon heartbreak.
While we may not quite realize it, fulfilling needs is what the Church is all about! Encouragement and kindness to each other is what the Church is all about. Be aware of the person sitting in the pew next to you. While he may not appear to be terribly upset or perhaps crying on the outside, he may be hurting awfully on the inside.
While the Church is made up of imperfect people, it is also the home of countless wonderful people as well.
What say you, as the little people of the world, is it possible that even we, might engage in this "fulfilling needs" business?
God bless you.