Friday Inspiration - Thank You

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.

- Meister Eckhart

After visiting China a few years ago, there are only two phrases I remember: “hello” and “thank you.” They’re among the most significant phrases in any language because they express two important Christian values: hospitality and gratitude. How we greet people speaks to who we are individually and communally. When we greet someone joyfully and earnestly, we recognize the dignity of that person and they feel welcomed and loved. Ditto when we say “thank you.” “Thank you” represents genuine appreciation for who that person is and whatever they have done. “Thank you” recognizes the gift of hard work and dedication. A “thank you” says you matter to me and I appreciate your time. But within the context of our faith, a “thank you” means something more; it acknowledges the imitation of Christ’s self-giving, self-emptying love in the other.

Say thank you to someone you love and someone you don't know -- and really mean it!

Thursday Inspiration: Stop Worrying

From St. Francis de Sales:

Stop worrying.
Whatever it is that you must do
to follow the path that God has shown you
do to the best of your ability.
And when you have done it
move on to the next thing.
Don’t keep rerunning it in your mind
trying to decide
whether your efforts were too little
or too much,
whether it was a great deed or a small one,
whether you might have done better.
If it wasn’t sinful and
you were trying to do the will of God,
it is enough.
Don’t worry. Move on.
Simply.
Calmly.
Peacefully.
Follow the path the Lord shows you
free of anxiety.
Otherwise
your anxiety will undermine
your efforts to grow.
If you do fail,
don’t let anxiety
overcome you,
but admit your failure,
quietly, humbly,
and in God’s presence.
Then get on with following the path
that God will continue to show you.

Midweek Inspiration

"You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope." -Thomas Merton

What we do in Religious Education, CCD, or Faith Formation every week does make a difference. It's difficult to believe because we don't have a tangible outcome to point to. We often don't see visible progress in the same way we see roads or buildings go up around us. Catechesis is more like planting seeds than pouring concrete. It requires faith on our behalf in the possibility that what God does through us during an hour and fifteen minutes once a week will take root. It is a challenging task, but one that we joyfully and courageously undertake. God is always with us! And so let us never lose hope in the task at hand.