Road to Fifty Reflections: Day 32
This morning, it suddenly struck me how discouraging it must be for others to see a sour-faced Catholic. I thought of the priest we often dread... impatient, sarcastic, his homilies more admonitions than encouragement. Yet I also noticed him smiling gently and speaking kindly to the seminarians during confession. Even in him, I see that holiness is not about being perpetually cheerful but about offering what we have to God... even in our flaws. I realize how often I, too, appear harsh or irritable. I find myself tense when cleaning the house or feeding the community cats, impatient with those who throw garbage carelessly or gossip loudly. Noise and disorder easily disturb me (even at work 🙊). And I see now that I present a poor example of a Catholic (and of someone who has consecrated her life to God at that). I feel guilty when I fail... when I throw garbage carelessly, when I scold my parents (... siblings... niece... neighbors...), when I react sharply to others... How can I guide ...