This Was For You
“One of the great dichotomies we face is that because our lives are so complicated, we don’t have time for ourselves. And at the same time, we often keep our lives so complicated, so we don’t have to address some of our inner issues.” — Living The Simple Life
Good Friday and Easter are almost here.
Are you ready?
Does it cross you mind all year long?
What if it did?
We Reap What We Sow
Ignoring our human temptation is a slippery slope.
Carpe diem!
Passion?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how consciously aware of each passing moment are you?
It’s challenging isn’t it?
To be fully present. All of the time.
As we were driving to Church yesterday morning, I told Cheryl that parking will be a challenge.
Why?
Because yesterday was Passion Sunday.
But I was wrong.
The parking lot was not overflowing.
There was no standing room only.
Vacant parking spaces.
(Those attending held a palm and waved it back and forth as the alter boys and alter girls, Eucharistic Ministers, the Lectors, the Deacon, and the Priest proceeded through the congregation)
And there was something else.
Vacant seats.
Life is hard. Time marches on.
Fit For A King?
A Broken Back, A Broken Soul
And so is every other day.
Today’s preparations include the usual:
We leave in less than an hour, and by 9:00AM, I’ll be standing in front of nearly 1,500 Parishioners at Holy Family Catholic Church.
As a Lector (reader), I will speak God’s Holy Word to them. It’s over in less than two minutes.
It may be the only scripture they hear all week.
Can you comprehend this?
All week.
This is all they’ll get.
Sunday is what you make it.
And so is every moment of every day.
Maybe They Were On Sale
There are people who have so much passion for what they do, they make the status quo look like amateurs.
Not everyone can handle the pressure that comes from such passion.
Some wait their whole lives for it.
And some, well, it’s who they are.
It’s a manifestation of some higher purpose.
A higher calling.
They make sacrifices.
Some unintentional.
Some, unwanted.
Important things can suffer.
There is no easy answer.
There is no “one correct way”.
It’s a two-way street.
This is what makes it such a gamble.
Either way.
Taking risks is risky. And so is playing it safe.
Pick one.
But try not to pick the wrong one.
It's Up To You
It’s been almost a year.
Almost a year since April 1, 2009.
Almost a year since I finally accepted our Pastor’s challenge.
Almost a year since I began every single day on my knees.
What’s stopping you from almost trying?
Lowell, Massachusetts Church
Ever love something, but because of things that seem out of your control, you realize that it’s almost impossible to enjoy?
Life is hard. No secret there.
Figuring out how to survive the daily, relentless pressures that come at us is part of life.
Our son (9) attends Catechism on Wednesday nights. Four years ago, I would drop him off and then sit in the parking lot doing work on my laptop, until PREP class was over.
Three years ago, I changed the process and became a volunteer, as a classroom assistant. The lead teacher has taught Catechism for about 15 years – a real pro.
Over and over in my mind, I mentally rehearsed being an awesome teacher, for those unexpected nights where I’m in charge. One that inspires nine-year olds to pay attention and be fully engaged. It never happens the way I visualize it. Quitting seems like the best alternative to racking my brain and emotions into despair.
Sometimes the lead teacher is unable to attend, leaving me at the mercy of the students. Call it the substitute-teacher syndrome.
Chaos.
It happens every time I am the (solo) lead teacher . They eat me alive with their ability to manipulate and control the classroom energy.
But not last night.
Peter Cottontail?
In our busy world, important things are easy to overlook. Not because we are bad people, but because we have so much to do:
And then, out of nowhere, an old friend knocks on our door. We answer the door, but don’t recognize the stranger.
It’s been a year.
Easter.
Stick Figures Against Reform
“Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits.” — Mark Twain
This guy is wacked. He actually believes he’s the luckiest Dad in the whole world.
After watching this 71-second video, you’ll most likely agree. Maybe he’s not wacked in the head after all.