Happy 5th Sunday of Lent!
Rags and I are seeing crocuses (crocusae?) and daffodils on our daily walks. Thank God for spring, every little bit of which helps.
First, about this weekend’s videotaped mass. Things over here are fine! We did, however, have the tiniest of situations yesterday, meaning that Fr. Marc Fryer – the pastoral director at Arrupe Jesuit High School – ended up presiding and preaching at our parish mass. Fr. Fryer is a good and generous man and I’m grateful to him for coming over. And, as always, I’m grateful to Fr. Harmon for getting the video posted to the website, despite there having been the tiniest of situations.
Times like these bring out the best and the worst in people. Many people become their best selves: generous, thoughtful, compassionate. Some people embrace heroism, whether in the ICU or behind the checkout counter at the Safeway. This is the Spirit at work in the world and in the hearts of women and men everywhere. For which praise God.
Then, sadly, there are those who choose otherwise. Some have chosen to act selfishly. Some have chosen to behave in ways that are antisocial and destructive. Some – and even some who call themselves public servants – have chosen to enrich themselves at the expense of others and of the public at large. As for that, we trust that all will be brought into the light and that all will be held to account, sooner or later.
Whatever our state in life, we are all of us called to be our best selves. We’re called to bring comfort, to heal, and to build up. We’re called to help protect those at risk. We’re called to do what we can, even if what we’re able to do seems hardly significant. Every bit of kindness helps. Every bit of good humor helps. Every bit of encouragement helps.
We live in a state of existential freedom. At every turn, we are free to choose light or darkness. But freedom is not the same thing as permission, and in fact we’re never given permission to choose darkness. We’re never given permission to cause harm or division. We are free and at the same time called. This is God’s world, and the light has prevailed and will prevail. Now and always, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5) And in all things, know that you are loved.
