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A Thought on Sunday
Growing Old Gracefully
From the desk of Fr Ignatius Waters CP
Sunday, January 22, 2011
I encourage you to read slowly once or twice these two pieces of Celtic wisdom. They deal with two situations you will meet in life, probably every day.
TELLING LIES
Sometimes we tell lies to protect the hearer:
We do not want to convey hurtful truth.
Sometimes we tell lies to protect ourselves:
We do not want others to know our truth.
In distinguishing between the two, we often lie to ourselves:
We pretend we are protecting others, when we are protecting ourselves.
If we truly love someone, no lies are right.
True love demands the truth.
When feelings are hurt, love can heal.
When lies are told, love is destroyed.
NEVER MOCK
Never mock what others say.
Perhaps their words are full of nonsense.
Perhaps they are trying to puff themselves up.
Perhaps they like hearing the sound of their own voices.
Perhaps they are trying to deceive their hearers.
Perhaps they are foolish and dim.
Perhaps they are more clever than wise.
Yet amid the useless clay
You may find jewels beyond price.
The word of God is in every heart
And can speak through any voice.
Well, what do you think? All I can say is that both of these bits of wisdom have helped me. The first has thrown light on how I can so easily deceive myself without knowing it! The second helps me listen when I’m finding it difficult. I hope they help you. Two less problems to deal with in our complex every day lives! And that’s something. Every little helps! |
