Lent Day 14 - Practice

My 4-year-old grandson Colton loves speed. The faster something goes, the bigger the grin on his sweet face. For Christmas this past year, Santa brought him a go-cart . . . I mean a real one with the capability of going up to 25 mph! The first time he sat in his shiny new machine to take it for a spin, the speed control hadn't been set and he took off like a bullet! Luckily no damage to him or any surrounding property occurred, but the speed bug hit him! With a little practice, determination and coordination, this kid shockingly mastered his (5 mph max speed set!) driving skills! At age 4!!! Here is a short video I took of him this past weekend, donuts being his favorite thing to do right now:

As with Colt's advancing driving skills, the more we "practice" our faith, living the life Jesus died to give us, the more enriched our lives become . . . the easier it is to master love, kindness, service to others, and compassion. 

In today's Gospel (Matthew 23:1-12), Jesus teaches us the value of practicing what you preach:

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Anne has written one of my favorite lines in her book Staying in Place, ithe first sentence in the quote below:

"If we expect life to occasionally feel like a rodeo instead of an orderly procession of happy events, we will be in a greater state of readiness for our life experience.

Self-pity is the enemy of wellness and joy. Self-pity is the enemy of virtue. Self-pity targets initiative and accomplishment. Jesus Christ kept working from the cross of His death, organizing care for His mother, obtaining forgiveness for His persecutors, doing the hard work to wrap His head around His circumstances, even asking, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'

My friends, if we are breathing, life has expectations of us. Today’s expectations could jump to a far higher level at any moment. We must prepare to serve. And when we are most disappointed, we must practice finding what is good around us, what is pure, even when it is only pure sorrow. Then we might say with profound gratitude, 'Thank you, Jesus that someone taught me to believe in the next life, where all of this suffering will have evaporated and where I will be united with loved ones in safety and celebration, free from pain, harm and threat.'”

Lay apostles, how are you practicing your faith this Lent? I figure if I can do it a little better every day, I am heading in the right direction. By reading/learning more about my Catholic faith, demonstrating patience when difficult and loving unconditionally, my road to Heaven becomes very clear. I just need to keep my blinders on when distractions come my way . . . which takes a lot of practice!

Thank you, Lord, for the lessons learned by watching my 4-year-old grandson mastering his go-cart! Your lessons are everywhere!

God bless,
Bonnie