Dear People of God,

How many times have we said (or heard someone else say) in the course of a week:

“I’m too busy!”

“I don’t have enough time!”

“Things will slow down next week!”

“I’m overwhelmed right now!”

 

We live in a fast paced and hectic world. We make choices. Our lives are busy—but there is more to life than increasing its speed! Time is a gift. And the sharing of time with family and friends is a gift beyond measure. There is nothing wrong with working hard and accomplishing goals. However, our life needs balance. This includes a deep faith in God, time with family and friends, work and leisure. It is also very important to gather each weekend around the Table of the Lord and share Eucharist—and we leave Sunday Liturgy to be Christ to all we meet. We now leave the exit doors to live it.

 

Take a moment and read the following story. Reflect upon its meaning in your life . . . and create wonderful memories.

 

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom. She must have been six years old, this beautiful, red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood under the awning and just inside the door of the store.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as welcome reprieve from the worries of the day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. “Mom, let’s run through the rain” she said. “What?” Mom asked. “Let’s run through the rain!” she repeated.

“No, honey. We’ll wait until it slows down a bit,” Mom replied. This young child waited about another minute and repeated: “Mom, let’s run through the rain.” “We’ll get soaked if we do,” Mom said.

“No, we won’t Mom. That’s not what you said this morning,” the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom’s arm. “Don’t you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ‘If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!’”

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn’t hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or went in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child’s life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

“Honey, you are absolutely right. Let’s run through the rain. If God lets us get wet, well maybe we just need washing,” Mom said. Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

 

I pray we still take the time to run through the rain (and snow)!

 

Blessings and peace,

                                   Fr. Greg