Another Module year has drawn to a close. It’s funny, I’m always a little divided at this time of year. On the one hand, I’m sad to see our Seniors go. We have good kids, and it always feels like they have become mature and experienced enough to finally “get it” when they have to up and move on. I guess that means we’ve done our job in preparing them as Catholics, but I still wish that we could enjoy them for a little while longer. C’est la vie. On the other hand, I’m very tired. Don’t get me wrong, the whole Team works hard and we all get tired. But let them write their own articles. I’m tired.
It’s usually around the Retreat that I decide I’m done for the year. I’m not, of course, because the Retreat is rarely the last event of our season. Even after our last Day (now, for example) there is still much work to be done to prepare for next year. I’ll do it. I’m just mentally exhausted. But this is the calling that I have chosen. Nobody forces me to do this. No more complaining out of me.
We had an incident with our daughter recently. (My wife and I, not the Module.) She lied to us about something. Repeatedly. We were none too pleased, and decided to punish her quite strictly. However, before that conversation could actually be had, we discovered that there were mitigating circumstances. Namely, she had been told to keep it from us by someone she trusted. She thought she was doing the right thing. She was put in a difficult situation and tried to make the best of it. We’ve had a talk with her and I think she understands how to handle that better in the future.
The point is that we were ready to act without having all of the information. Act based on how the situation looked, versus what it actually was. We jumped to a conclusion and it almost ended badly for all of us.
Why does that happen so often? Why do we, as people, want to react emotionally instead of rationally? It happens all the time. I don’t think our instant social media validation culture helps us with that. See some story on Facebook and get a hundred likes for railing against it, without bothering to check if it is true or not. (Did you know that some of Hillary’s secret e-mails made fun of Catholics? Yup. Saw it on Facebook.) Or Twitter. Why is it that some celebrity can say something stupid and there is suddenly a torrent of righteous indignation over it? Who cares? But no, it’s always “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Wait, sorry. Wrong angry mob.
I realize that it sounds like I’m about to tell you to get off of my lawn, but I’m really not against social media. I’m just against getting riled up over nothing. Be less reactionary. Be more circumspect.
I, for one, would like to be a little more like JC. I am, of course, talking about Mr. John Cena. That guy is surprisingly level headed. A real chill dude. At least, that’s the public persona he puts out there. Who really knows, right? (It would probably be a good idea not to rush to judgement about him, either.) Then again, I don’t have his millions. I imagine not having to worry about money makes it a little easier to be cool and not stress out.
Of course, there was someone who had hardly anything but the clothes on His back and managed to keep a pretty level head and a good attitude. I refer now to Mr. Jesus Christ. The kids might call Him the OG JC. (Disclaimer: I have no idea if anybody would actually call Him that.) Jesus went town to town, preaching the word of God. He didn’t pre-judge people. He didn’t jump to conclusions based on appearances, or what he heard. He judged the situation on its own merits. He got melt-down angry maybe- maybe- twice, and it was appropriate to the circumstances. I’ll take that example.
I realize what I’m suggesting isn’t easy. We’re passionate human beings, not robots. And none of us has the advantage of being God. I imagine that would be a plus. But we can all try to better. We can always be better. Aren’t you tired of getting worked up over something that ultimately doesn’t matter? I am. I’m very tired. Time to start taking the long view. I can always get angry later.
Enjoy your Memorial Day.