What a crazy week. There was so much to consider as we watched the events unfolding in Oklahoma. Once again we experience another event of catastrophic extreme weather. And while our prayers and support are with the people of Moore Oklahoma we are reminded this week that the latest hurricane season is but one week away. Predictions for this summer's tropical activity are not good. In the week that just passed, we were reminded again that there are hateful people in this world hell-bent on perpetrating terror attacks in the name of their "god". This time the attack was in Great Britain and it was heinous and shocking to human sensibilities. But that will never stop the radical Muslim terrorists who have long ago hijacked a world religion. No wonder so many mistrust all things Islam. We ended the week with the much anticipated announcement from the Boy Scouts of America. The BSA voted to accept gay children into the ranks of scouting membership. I guess this is so important as young children soon must declare gay or straight at an earlier and earlier age. There is a larger agenda here and it has nothing to do with equality; much like the argument to redefine marriage.
All in all a pretty normal week in our world and our nation. For my little family what a complicated week as well. You may recall earlier posts where I congratulated my wife on a job offer too good to be true. Well, it was. No raise, no title will ever justify working for folks that are less than honest and remarkably hypocritical, not to mention out of control with insult and innuendo. Therefore, effective this week, my bride of almost 36 years triumphantly returned to her prior place of employment, welcomed back with open arms and among co-workers and colleagues that value her and respect her. Both Wendy and I are acutely aware of how difficult it is for those who have lost jobs and struggle for weeks and months unemployed. We are so grateful and appreciative that the work place back-stabbing perpetrated on her resulted in no loss of pay!
Today my bride and I are trying to get a leg up on a little yard/house work even though it is a 3-day weekend and the temptation to pack up the vehicle and get away is strong. Yet she really wants to work in her vegetable garden today where we have already realized a bounty of various squash, zucchini and banana peppers. I dutifully filled up on gas and diesel to cut some grass and managed to get the weed eater to operate for about 30 minutes before it runs out of string and once replaced, decides not to restart without being problematic. I hence retired to the living room to vent and cool down and regroup. For me, I just simply hate summer and tend to feel the heat much more so than I ever remember. Coupled with the arthritis that gets worse every year, it's physically demanding to really keep up with 10 acres, especially with a full time job and full time ministry as a Permanent Deacon.
My ministry assignments this week include 2 Masses tomorrow in the very early morning, a couple of meetings this week and an evening of prison ministry at mid-week. As I reflect backwards and move forward I am reminded that we can endure anything if we stay in communion with God. Staying in communion will never be more evident than this weekend as we reflect on the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. Being in communion with God, trusting on the Trinity, allows us to survive the tough times, celebrate the good times with great joy and treat others better than we would left to our own devices.
Yes, it was a crazy week. In reality are not all weeks crazy? God is not crazy however and he helps us manage the crazy. The week that was, both in the news and within my own family dynamic, just reminded me to praise God always; when the weather is good and bad, when the job is awesome and not so awesome, when we feel great or not so great, when the weed eater works and when it won't.
Praise God, even for the crazy!
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