I was reading the story of a good man from a wonderful family who has been blessed with lots of love and good examples in his life. But, like the rest of us, he had his weaknesses, in his case, gossip and occasional pettiness. One day, as he was sitting with my friend, he made a very racist remark. My friend, instead of accusing him of being a racist or shaming him with the inappropriateness of his remark, called him instead to his own essential goodness: “That comment surprises me,” he said, “coming from you. I’ve always considered you and your family big-hearted people with class, never petty. I’ve always envied your family for its goodness and understanding. That remark doesn’t sound like you!” The man’s reaction was instant, positive. Immediately, he apologized: “You’re right,” he said, “I don’t know why I sometimes say stupid things like that!” It’s interesting to note that the word “Gospel” means “good news,” not “good advice.” Fr. Ron Rolheiser writes that the gospels are not so much a spiritual and moral theology book that tells us what we should be doing but are more an account of what God has already done for us, is still doing for us, and the remarkable dignity that this bestows on us. Morality is not a command, it’s an invitation; not a threat, but a reminder of who we truly are. We become taller and less petty when remembering what kind of family we ultimately come from. We all have two souls, two hearts, and two minds. Inside each of us, there’s a soul, heart, and mind that’s petty, that’s been hurt, that wants vengeance, that wants to protect itself, that’s frightened of what’s different, that’s prone to gossip, that’s racist, that perennially feels cheated. Seen in a certain light, all of us are as small in stature. But there’s also a tall, big-hearted person inside each of us who wants to warmly embrace the whole world beyond personal hurt, selfishness, race, creed, and politics. We are always both grand and petty. Our days are divided between those moments when we are big-hearted, generous, warm, hospitable, unafraid, and wanting to embrace everyone and those moments when we are petty, selfish, over-aware of the unfairness of life, frightened, and seeking only to protect ourselves and our own safety and interests. We are both tall and short simultaneously, and either of these can manifest itself from minute to minute. To grow to what our deepest DNA has destined us for is what makes us whole and makes us tall – humanly, spiritually, and morally. The gospel challenge doesn’t shame us with our pettiness; it invites us to what’s already best inside us.