Reflection 9/11/20:

Forgiveness.  How amazingly appropriate that today’s Gospel focuses on forgiveness.  Today we are faced with the memory of those tragic events of choice which happened 19 years ago.  As we continue to navigate this pandemic, the multiple movements throughout the United States, the upcoming election, I can’t help but remember that day on September 11, 2001 as I was driving up Interstate 55 on my way to work.  I also can’t help but remember how united we were as a country during that events that followed.  It is because of this I question where we are today. 

Forgiveness.  The Gospel of Luke says “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into the pit?”  I wonder how close to the edge we are as a society.  No one enjoys having our discrepancies brought to light.  However, at the same time, we seem so quick to point out those of others.  The Gospel goes on to say “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?...You hypocrite, first take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck from your neighbor’s eye.”  In order to do this, it will take a lot of courage to be honest with ourselves about who we really are.  How can we truly forgive or accept others if we have not addressed ourselves first?  Perhaps this is a better question; how can we condemn others when we should be condemned? 

Today, we are faced with a decision: To become better than we were as both an individual and a society, or to do nothing and fall into the pit.  As Luke suggests, being better people begins with a long hard look at ourselves and then, addressing our neighbor.  “First, take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck from your neighbor’s eye.”  Real change begins from within.  It is a scary process of visiting those places about ourselves that aren’t always so nice and being completely…authentic. 

W.B. Yeats stated that “It takes more courage to examine the dark corners of your own soul than it does for a soldier to fight on a battlefield.”  Maybe it’s about time we begin to venture into those “dark corners” and sweep out what needs to go.  If we begin there, perhaps we can move toward addressing our neighbor. Then, just maybe, we can begin to grow forward together, collectively into a more unified and peaceful society. 

As we remember and grieve the tragedies of September 11^th, 2001, may the Holy Spirit bring us the peace needed to our current world in strife.  By beginning with ourselves, may we show society courage and justice for all guided by the example of Christ the King. 

Mr. Swann - Principal

 

Reflection 9/4/20:

Well, it’s Friday.  Our Lady of Mount Carmel School is getting ready to turn the page on week 4.  As I’ve said before, this may sound insignificant to some however; four weeks ago we started with a plan and several prayers.  Likewise, we were up against significant unknown and surrounded by doubt.  Yet by the Grace of God, a LOT of hard work from teachers, and some diligent actions from many of our families we have been able to reach this small milestone.  As we roll into the Labor Day weekend, we will need some more of all three in order to see another successful four weeks!

In today’s Gospel from Luke, Jesus tells the scribes and Pharisee that “no one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it onto an old one; otherwise it will be torn, and the piece from the new will not match the old.  No one puts new wine into old wine skins; otherwise the new wine will burst the old skins.  And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine but says, ‘The old is good.’”  Just as the “bridegroom” refashions the wine skins, Jesus refashions each of us into a new creation.  Jesus gives us the strength and fortitude to adapt to change; to withstand the uncertainty and fear that surrounds the outside world. 

Adapting to change is difficult.  Adapting to constant change is both difficult and frustrating, and most times can bring out the absolute worst in the best people.  This is the environment that we are in right now!  Not only is much of the divisive rhetoric that echoed throughout the summer beginning to resurface, we are dealing with the issue of new concerns and divisions all around us.  My prayer is that we do not get comfortable with this environment.  I was listening to a person talk earlier this week and was concerned with the statement that came from the conversation “I believe all this is just going to be the new normal.”  I disagree.  “All This” will only be the “new normal” if we accept it as such and grow comfortable with it. 

Our Catholic Schools have succeeded to this point because we have adapted to the rules and regulations; because we have been focused on providing the safest and most appropriate learning environment that we can, and that we continue to strive to do things better during this pandemic without accepting that this is “the new normal”.  I am proud of all of you for the level of patience and perseverance that has been shown over that past month-plus. 

The dictionary defines a Crusader in its second definition as “A person who campaigns vigorously for political, social, or religious change.”  In order to be a Crusader the acceptance of any “New Normal” is not possible.  Let’s continue to be Crusaders as we successfully push forward into our next four weeks! 

May God continue to bless each of you!

Mr. Swann – Principal