Fr. Jim’s Gems….  12/30/2001

To me it’s a glimpse of heaven to hear people say during a holiday party, “I haven’t seen Such-’n’-Such in so long...It’s great to be in touch again.” At my parties I like to bring old friends together with new, and then watch the good chemistry happen. Some mingle and meet new; others stay talking with one or two people they’ve known a long time. I’m probably more of the latter; even though I make it a point at my own parties to get around and chat, even briefly, with each guest. Also in heaven there’ll be no name tags. Here on earth we need ‘em. Some resist wearing them for any number of reasons, not the least of which may be that the tags are a reminder of one’s own limitations. My memory’s slipping...and so am I. Darned if I need your tag to remind me!...Let’s just skip the tags and pretend we know each other.  Not! Shucks, just enjoy the party...and be sure to eat at least one dessert on me.
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Faith Slogans:
Feed your faith, and your doubts will starve to death.
What if God is asking us for a sign!
Man’s disappointments are often God’s appointments.
I never doubt your existence: God.
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 Wouldn’t you like to know all the intimate details of the 30 years of family life lived by Jesus, Mary and Joseph? We know very, very little of that largest portion of Jesus’ life on earth. How did Mary and Joseph teach Jesus, correct him, and discipline him? How often did He truly disappoint them, as he surely did when he was lost in the temple? Mary told him how he had upset Joseph and her in no uncertain terms. How affectionate was Jesus with his parents? Did he cry by himself when Joseph died so that the “man of the house” could appear strong for his mother? Did Jesus and Mary laugh together? Sing together? Did kids in the neighborhood fight with Jesus? Tease him? How did he handle cruel words, gossip, unkindness of any sort? Bet Jesus had a disarming sense of humor that would diffuse most sensitive situations. Did he struggle for a long time in finally saying good-bye to his mother and leaving home for good? Guess we have no business knowing all those kinds of details now. But, believe you me, I’m sure going to ask for “re-runs” of those hidden years when I get home to heaven.
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Family Meditation on Harsh Words
I ran into a stranger as he passed by. “Oh excuse me please” was my reply. He said, “Please excuse me too; I wasn’t watching for you.” We were very polite, this stranger and I. We went on our way and we said good-bye.

But at home a different story is told, how we treat our loved ones, young and old. Later that day, cooking the evening meal, my son stood beside me very still. When I turned, I nearly knocked him down. “Move out of the way,” I said with a frown. He walked away, his little heart broken. I didn’t realize how harshly I’d spoken.

While I lay awake in bed, God’s still small voice came to me and said, “While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, but the children you love, you seem to abuse. Go look on the kitchen floor, you’ll find some flowers there by the door.” “Those are the flowers he brought for you. He picked them himself; pink, yellow and blue. He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, and you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.”

By this time, I felt very small, and now my tears began to fall. I quietly went and knelt by his bed; “Wake up, little one, wake up,” I said. “Are these the flowers you picked for me?” He smiled, “I found ‘em out by the tree.” “I picked  ‘em because they’re pretty like you. I knew you’d like ‘em, especially the blue.” I said, “Son, I’m very sorry for the way I acted today; I shouldn’t have yelled at you that way.” He said, “Oh, Mom, that’s okay. I love you anyway.” I said, “Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the blue.”

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don’t you think?
    (Author Unknown)
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And, undaunted by one Lions’ victory…
Q. What’s the difference between the Detroit Lions and a
     dollar bill?
A. You can still get four quarters out of a dollar.

Q. How many Detroit Lions does it take to win a Superbowl?
A.  Nobody knows and we may never find out.

Q.  How can you tell when the Detroit Lions are going to run
      the football?
A.  The back leaves the huddle with tears in his eyes.

    Love in Him,
    Fr. Jim
 

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