Loading...Dear Friends in Christ,
I sometimes get more email than I can get through. Most of it is worthwhile, and I do eventually get through it. I got the following a couple of weeks ago. You may have read it yourself, but it makes such a good point that I wanted to share it.
Here is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of The 'Peanuts' comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them.
1) Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2) Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3) Name the last five winners of the Miss America Pageant.
4) Name ten people who have won Nobel or Pulitzer Prizes.
5) Name the last half dozen Acadamy Award winners for best actor or actress.
6) Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. There are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies... awards tarnish...Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one.
1) List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2) Name three friends who have helped you through a diificult time.
3) Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4) Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5) Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier? The lesson: The people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money...or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.
Sometimes we take those we love the most for granted. Sometimes we forget those who have helped us in ways that make a difference in our lives. We should not only let those we love know how much we really do care, we should let those who have helped us on our way know how much we appreciate them. Be it a teacher, employer, employee, fellow worker, friend, or stranger. Saying thanks is the easiest and cheapest way to tell someone you love and appreciate them.
On Wednesday, March 19th, we held our first Lent program at St. Mary's with a short program about the Passover meal that Jesus and his disciples ate the night before he was crucified. In the program, Jesus said that one of the disciples would betray him. Each of the disciples told us something about themselves and then expressed their fear that they may be the one who betrayed Jesus. They all asked, "Is it I?". The answer to all of them is "Yes". We know that Judas actively betrayed Jesus, but the others betrayed him in their own way - lack of faith, doubting, not understanding, self-centeredness.
So it is with us. We are all guilty, too. Everytime we gossip about others, judge others, not help others, not love others we, too, are guilty of betraying Jesus and crucifying Him. Remember, we are to love others and forgive others like Jesus loves us - unconditionally. Remember how Jesus said from the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." We know what to do. Let us do it.
In Christ's Love,
Father Russ
