This
past Friday, Gannon, a Roberts Wesleyan college student, asked for a ride home
from school so that he could play his piano at our Mass. On our way, I spotted an
outdoor church sign that had this message: “Make a 180 and turn away from sin.” Interestingly, there was
a study that suggested that the best way for people to change their behavior
was not telling them what not to stop. Stop drinking or stop smoking or lying,
but success comes in focusing your energy on doing things that you really want
to change. Practicing patience might mean simply listening to your partner
about their stress at work. Calling your elderly neighbor to make sure they are
all right after a storm. Forgiving an in-law who hurt you in the past.
Every
time I’m behind the lens of my camera, I’m looking to capture the moment, that
instant when the ordinary becomes extraordinary. To love like Christ, might
have new meaning if you focused your energy on being the best person you can
be. Offering a ride to a neighbor to get some groceries or take them to an
appointment.
For Lent,
I am reading:“30 Lessons for Loving Advice from the Wisest Americans.” It is a
survey of hundreds of couples ages 60 to 100 and how they found peace and
joy in their relationship. Marriage they will tell you is not easy, but the
years of living together have offered advice that can help any of us grow into
the love of Christ.
The
author shared a moment that he loves about gift-giving holidays and birthdays.
He says that he may be one of the few people over the age of fifty who eagerly
looks forward to his birthday. In parochial school at St. Stanislaus, my birthday fell
on the same day as my classmate Andy, whose father owned the local ice crème
store. So on our birthdays, Andy’s dad would bring ice crème cups for all the
kids and my mom would bake cookies and sister would allow the kids to
share our treats. Our classmates loved it when Matty and Andy’s birthday came
along.
What I
like to suggest for Lent is to ignite the spark of love by practicing some of
these suggestions from our wisest Americans.
You
walk downstairs one spring morning and on the table are fleshly baked blueberry
muffins and a vase of daffodils. You supposed to pick up the kids after work,
but your husband emails you saying he knows you’ve got a busy day so he’ll get
them instead. You mention your interest in going to a concert you read about—and
your wife surprises you that weekend with a pair of tickets. The dog is
scratching at your bedroom at six am, on a cold winter day. It’s your turn to
walk him, but your partner quietly gets up and lets you sleep.
For
Lent, I recommend that you keep the spark alive in the unexpected kind gestures.
In fact there is nothing more effective in keeping a relationship warm,
supportive and fun then making habit of doing, small, positive things.
God watches over us as we pray: “Whoever pursues
righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.” (Proverbs 21:21).
Lord I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are
searching for ways to make this Lent a season of growth and peace. Get
outside with the birdseed or put out some warm water for the stray outdoor
kitties.
