Not What They Seem

I think the first time my son, now 17, figured out that the interstate is littered with service stations that all look alike he was about 10. We were driving somewhere and from the comfort of the back seat, I hear, “Are we lost, because we have passed that gas station about five times?”

To him, the service plazas all looked alike and he was concerned that his old man was circling the same one again and again.

Things do not always appear the way they seem.

Now that faith formation has begun in many of our parishes, we are inundated with calls from those who did not register, have not participated in years, are in need of sacraments, and are suddenly finding the need for God in their lives.

We mutter and we complain. We are inconvenienced and annoyed. “What is wrong with these people?” we ask. “Where were they when this stuff was in the bulletin for weeks on end?”

So this week, stop for a moment and remember that people carry things we cannot imagine: sickness, death of a loved one, being overwhelmed by the little things. Maybe the family has been so concerned about being unemployed that faith formation was not a priority. Maybe the elderly relative they have been caring for has taken all their energy.

And yes, maybe they are just lazy.

But, as my son will tell you, things are not always what they seem. Instead of frustration, welcome the lost and those who have forgotten. Your tone and your reaction will determine whether they stay or leave.

Invite. Don’t criticize.

The reasons don’t matter. Our reactions do.

Have a good week.

pjd