Musings of Life.....

Life. It has so many meanings. There is a board game called Life. A breakfast cereal. It is talked about in song, in poetry, and in fictional books. Of course, on the literal note, it means the very existence of each of us. Our pets, our plants, and, of course our very selves. The life given to us by the very breath of God.

I have been retired from my day job for about a year now. It was a very stressful position, demanding of results, not unlike the positions that so many have. The focus on results, the importance of performing your duties above average is something that so many of feel and deal with. At times, it challenges the teachings of Christ. Over this past year, I spent a lot of time reflecting on the career I just moved on from, and the lessons I’ve learned in my 60 some odd years of existing on this earth. And, of course, the ultimate truth, the relationship with God and the truth of our existence.

I’ve done a lot of different things. I’ve been a mechanic, I’ve worked underground in coal mines, worked in financial services, worked with the developmentally handicapped, and finally settled in legal work for state government. Although born and raised a Catholic, I’ve run the gamut, becoming lazy in my faith, becoming an evangelical, and then finally returning home to the Catholic Church....obtaining a degree in Pastoral / Theology at the age of 47. I’ve had a terrific marriage for 34 years, helped raise three terrific kids, been dead broke and pretty well off, financially. I’ve also been in terrific health, and have been given last rites, twice. I’ll admit to not being the sharpest tool in the shed, but over the years I’ve picked up some stuff and come to some interesting conclusions.

We have become, in many ways, a society that feels that truth is what we say it is. Whatever we say, goes. If I feel I was wronged, I was, whether it is the truth or just how I feel. I suppose this has always been so, to one extent or another, but it seems to have reached a crescendo over the past few years. As we’ve gotten more adept at developing newer and more powerful gadgets, we’ve become such a narcissistic society that we can dictate and manipulate what truth is truth. Human life will be permitted to exist on what we consider ‘quality of life’ by our definition. We can justify lying and stealing, and not looking out for those who need some help. The world is butchering and persecuting more people now than ever in history. Personally, I’ve never seen it to such as an extent as it is now.

In my sixty some odd years on this earth, I’ve seen a lot issues. Invariably, some politician is going to 'fix' everything. Very few have been totally honest regarding the issues. When I was born, WWII was recently ended, and all my uncles had served in Europe and the Pacific. I arrived while my dad was serving in Korea, going behind Communist lines to rescue USAF fighter pilots. I've seen discrimination, had air raid drills in school, lived through the cold war and Viet Nam, the malaise of the seventies, and have voted in every election since 1968 . in our lifetime we’ve destroyed Nazism, Fascism, to make room for Communism, which has made room for what is going on now, which has always been a problem. Evil is ongoing, and never can be eradicated by mankind. He doesn't have the capability. It goes on and on and on. Mankind just doesn’t get it....we think the only reason these ideas haven’t worked before is that the right people haven’t tried them. This group, which would be us, is just so much smarter.

Personally, I have been given so much, much more than I deserve. Even the financially hard times were a gift, a learning gift, which passed. I have a terrific family, have had fabulous life’s experiences (although I admit the brain tumor was not a day at the beach). However, the lessons learned, even in the bad times, were well worth learning.

The other evening, we went to a Christmas party from the place I retired from a year ago. It was wonderful. So many wonderful, terrific people, that I’ve worked with, and loved for so many years. When God puts people in your life, they are a gift. Really. Each one of them is fighting their own struggles, and I pray for them often. Being around these wonderful people, knowing them, is one of the most fantastic gifts that I could have ever hoped for, and much more than I deserve.

During all of this, the battles we all fight, God has been available to us in many, many ways, we just have to be open to His reaching out. Every time we pray the Rosary, we are standing next to Our Lady at the Wedding of Cana, asking Her to present our prayers to Christ. Evangelicals talk about a ‘personal’ relationship with Christ. When we participate in any of the Sacraments, such as the Eucharist, or Confession, we are allowing Christ to personally reach and touch us in a physical way. That is His lifeline to us, and it is available each and every day. He invites us to walk with Him each day. It doesn’t get any more ‘personal’ than that.

St. Joan of Arc told her troops at the Battle of Orleans, “Place your life in God’s hands, because whether you realize it or not, that is exactly where it is.” We worry so much about the things of the world. Way too much. Our Lady said at Fatima, “In the End, My Immaculate Heart will Triumph”. One can take those words at face value.

As we go into this Christmas season, it’s so easy to get caught up in all the hype and rush of the season. Remember, though, that the worries of this world have already been addressed. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and as time as shown me, it’s all small stuff. I'm more convinced than ever it will take a power much higher than us to straighten this out, and is in charge. His will WILL be done, and that’s a fact. So, lighten up, stop beating yourself up, and enjoy the beauty and the people God has placed in your life. Study the Scriptures. Take advantage of the Sacraments. Pray that Rosary!!!! Hang out with His Mother. She likes that, and so does He.

God Bless you all this wonderful season.