Exultet

I noticed an unusual act of charity in speech today that really impressed me, perhaps especially because one of my besetting sins is criticalness and judgment. Sometimes I keep my little critique-y commentary to myself, but sometimes (usually to my husband) I just let fly with my tactful yet pointed assessment of something that's actually none of my business, rationalizing it to myself as "honest", "authentic", or "concerned". I'm working on it, but God's not done yet.

Today, we went out for brunch after Mass with several friends. One of them is a guy who I already realized is a wonderfully enthusiastic flat-out servant of God. He was talking about a priest-friend of his who is suffering considerable health problems that are greatly hampering his life and ministry and who, despite it all, hasn't been able to quit smoking. Did he at all imply in word or tone any contempt or criticism for this? Not at all. I believe his phrase was, "It has a strong grip on him that he hasn't yet been able to break." There was no hinted implication of weakness or poor judgment.

I was stunned. In a quiet way, relevant facts were presented without either criticism or the mealy-mouthed "it's no big deal" rationale which is my other automatic response to such things.

I'm sure my friend didn't have to think twice about how he spoke because he's been yielding up more and more of himself to Christ for decades. I admire him and would like to be more like that.

Found a good quotation while cruising blogs about knitting:

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

-Maya Angelou

Never make a decision without stopping to consider the matter in the presence of God.

St. Josemaria Escriva

THAT's a good idea, isn't it? Eating, or overeating. Gossiping, or telling a secret. Criticizing, or withholding praise.

Now we have the Vatican's "commandments of driving!"



(Picture Hat tip to The Curt Jester, one of the funnier guys on the Internet. He adds a hilarious list of his own.)

These really were issued by the Vatican just recently:

1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
4. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
5. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
6. Support the families of accident victims.
7. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible toward others.

I'm sure these will be made fun of ("doesn't the Vatican have anything better to do with their time?") but they are thoughtful and cover the sins against humility, gentleness, temperance, prudence, charity.