You’ve probably heard the saying “Inch by inch, life is a cinch. Yard by yard life is hard.” As I start my Lenten journey I take a deep breath and wonder how I’ll ever persevere through 40 days. But 40 days are only one day forty times; however, that still doesn’t make Lent a “cinch.” The day-by-day taking up of my Lenten resolutions reminds me that my whole life is just one day after another day. Begin your Lenten journey today, making just this one day a day to praise and thank God. Then tomorrow continue your praise and thanks. Day by day your life will become one big sacrifice of praise to the glory of God.
As we begin Lent and look for ways to improve, the first place to look is with our family. George Bernard Shaw wrote, “A happy family is but an earlier heaven.” How true! Is there some tension in the family? Is there an elephant in the living room that no one wants to address? Even in the best families, there are things that could be altered for mutual benefit. Besides personal resolutions, discuss with spouse or family those family idiosyncrasies that could be part of Lent’s metanoia, the change of heart that will make everyone’s hearts a little lighter.
Albert Schweitzer said, “Aim for service and success will follow.” This axiom describes so many of our world’s finest citizens. Today we honor George Washington, a man in service of the ideals of freedom, unity, and democracy. Make this a day of service. Perhaps success will follow.
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see” (Mark Twain). Perhaps your day will be brightened by receiving candy, flowers, or cards. And you may be brightening someone else’s day in the same way. The origin of today’s sweet treats and flowers lies in a generous act of kindness performed by a saint named Valentine. Honor Valentine’s Day with an act of generous kindness. Unlike candy, kindness has no calories; unlike flowers, the act will never die.
I admire Abraham Lincoln, a man with a great imagination. At the end of the Civil War he imagined the unimaginable—bringing the South back into the United States without punishment. Lincoln also imagined a country without slavery, a country where every person had a right to vote and own land. His imagination gave him far-sighted vision, not the myopic vision of punitive measures or retaining the status quo. Lauren Bacall said, “Imagination is the highest kite one cay fly.” Lincoln sailed his kite, and we the people of this great union always have something to look up to.
This week marks the half-way point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. While many are longing for spring, I don’t mind that winter is only half over. Winter happens to be my favorite season. I realize that’s a bit unusual, but it is. I never tire of looking at snow-covered scenes, of walking in the snow, or even shoveling sidewalks or clearing cars. When school is canceled, I phone the three children across the road to see whether they would like to go sledding here at Lial. They are usually interested, and we have fun on the hills. Actually I wanted to try a new sled that someone gave me which the children refer to as the Red Rocket. Now those readers who know who I am will probably wonder, “Why doesn’t she act her age?” Well, I’m practicing for heaven. Only children get in. Maybe I’ll sled in!
“Knowledge is like climbing a mountain. The higher you reach the more you can see and appreciate” (author unknown). Our Catholic schools merit all the attention they receive during this Catholic Schools Week. The facts students learn may serve them well on a Jeopardy game, but those facts surrounded by skills of critical thinking, speaking, problem solving, and ability to interact socially take them up the mountain even farther.
How have you stretched your knowledge lately? Where do you need to see farther? Let your appreciation for knowledge be known, perhaps thanking a teacher or anyone else who has helped you grow.
As I write this blog, I don’t know what the weather will be like on January 22. Typically it’s one of the coldest days of the year, often with several feet of snow in some states. I admire the thousands of persons who travel to D.C. despite bitter cold to march for life, who witness for the worth and dignity of the unborn, who try once again after many decades to change the hearts and minds of legislators. Mary Anne Radmacher said, “Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is a quiet voice at the end of the day, saying ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” To those who are in Washington today or demonstrating in nearby cities, thank you for all your effort. And by effort I mean real courage.
Oprah Winfrey once said, “Create the highest, grandest vision for your life because you become what you believe.” Her own life attests to her grand vision, and today we honor Martin Luther King, Jr. whose grand vision was embodied in his “I Have a Dream” speech. Much of his dream has been realized over the decades since that speech was so powerfully delivered. Much still needs to be achieved. Take five minutes today to create a grand vision for our country and world. Picture world unity, a globe pulsing with positive energy, every person creating a grand vision for his or her life. Then pray that your “I have a dream” vision will come true.
A few years ago another sister and I planted two tiny trees at Lial Renewal Center. They’re still there and taller. When we planted them I didn’t place bets on their survival, but there seems to be a chance for full growth someday. Nelson Henderson wrote, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” I doubt that I will ever sit under the shade of those two trees, and I have other doubts. In this week for Christian Unity I doubt that all Christian churches will become one in my lifetime. Yet you and I can “plant trees” of ecumenism. Do something this week to promote Christian unity. Research another Christian faith. Attend a prayer service. Join other Christians in a service project. Pray that one day we’ll all sit in the shade of God’s one love for all people