Pastor's Message

October 14, 2001

NOT YOUR WAY

A mother was talking to her young son who was complaining about having to do what his sister wanted. Finally, she added, "You have to remember. To get through life, sometimes you have to do things that are not just what you want."

That is a pretty good piece of advice. It seems we have all been led to believe that we can "have it our way" - as the fast-food franchise commercial used to go. In order to live peacefully with others, there are times we go along with what would not be our own first choice.

The ramifications of this advice are great. It would mean being more patient in the super-market line or accepting someone else's choice of music for the "on-hold" telephone music. It would mean that although you can have the exact temperature that you want in your own house, public places like churches may be too warm or too cold. It would mean that countries and peoples would have to negotiate and tolerate differences so that they can live in peace.

We share this planet with six billion other people. The only way we can survive is to admit that we won't always get things our own way. Besides, being open to others will probably help us discovery that sometimes others' choices are better than our own!

Fr. Herb

October 7, 2001

ALL IN COLOR

We've entered that wonderful time of year, the season of fall colors. The reds, yellows, and oranges - all accentuated by the greens - attract people from far and wide. Driving through the Mohican forest area is a popular thing to do.

I've been asking myself what it is that attracts people to multi-colors. I am sure that part of it is the fact that there are only two or three weeks in which we can enjoy nature's special clothing. But there is also something we cannot resist about colors themselves. Bright and varied colors stimulate our eyes and minds to go beyond single dimensions.

There is a famous Spanish song, used in the Cursillo retreats, called De Colores. Usually, that is translated, "All in color." Just as the leaves are in multiple colors, just as the rainbow is a feast of colors, just as a flower garden overflows with color, in the same way our faith should be colorful. That is, it should have many dimensions and be expressive of life.

Of course, some folks are happy to live in a black and white world with a drabness about themselves. Faith, that exciting relationship with God, calls for more. Faith should fill us with deep joy that exudes from us like the wonderful fall colors.

Fr. Herb