Spring Forward

“Love is in the air, everywhere I look around!” These words from a popular song of yesteryear still resonate with us today. Spring is often the impetus for poets, musicians and authors of prose to write -and sing - of love. Perhaps its the scent of fresh flowers, the enduring rays of the sun or the warm breezes that so often usher in the magical sunsets of May. Maybe it's the thought of impeding vacation or time off -or simply a grateful reaction to a seemingly endless winter. Whatever the cause, the linkage of spring and love is undeniable.

Shakespeare, whose remarkable canon contains so very many scenes focused on virtually every aspect of love, gave Julia in the play “Two Gentlemen of Verona” perhaps the most insightful reflection of love when she utters, “They do not love that do not show their love!”

Indeed, this line reflects an axiom that we do well to consider as our summer season approaches -actions speak louder than words! Shakespeare himself, well-versed in the classics of Greek and Latin, would also understand that our English translation of the word love is not always understood to convey “charity” as, for instance the Latin “caritas” does. Our brief reflection here will focus on the charity as the Church understands it – encompassing all aspects of affinity, affection and service to others.

A good way to begin discussing charity is to consider what Saint Bernard of Clairveaux says about it: “True and sincere charity, I must say, must proceed wholly from a pure heart, a good conscience, unfeigned faith, by which we love our neighbor's good as much as our own. For he who loves himself most, or solely, does not love the good purely, because he loves it for his sake, not for its own.” Tough words in our modern society but this great saint goes further, saying that someone can praise God because He is powerful, because He is good to him or simply because He is good. Saint Bernard describes the first of these as the attitude of a slave to a master, the second of a mercenary hoping for more profit for himself, while the third way -praising God because He is good – is the way a son praises a father. That must be our path.

So, if we take this approach, what should we do as a practical matter? It might be useful to recognize that spring and summer usher in periods of great challenge for many, if not most parishes. So focusing on our spiritual homes for a moment, we can suggest an action plan that will SHOW our love of parish in some tangible ways that will also enable us to grow in our spiritual lives.

Since Sacred Scripture has always used the number seven to symbolize perfection and good things, we humbly extend seven ideas for you consideration as ways to display and share your time, talent and treasure.

1.Take a newly-confirmed youngster to Mass with you. Talk to a CCD/PSR director or teacher and chances are they will tell you that one of the largest challenges facing them is retaining the interest of young people once confirmed. While formal classes will probably be winding down, why not invite your newly-minted confirmand -or several of them from your parish – to some fun activity AFTER you all attend Mass together. Even better, visit a shrine or a special church as part of a larger itinerary to show the youth that the faith is an everyday component for everyone every day.
2.Seek out an elderly shut-in and make a visit. Parishes are getting older; the increased life expectancy is a good thing. The tougher, flip side to that good news is that our corps of folks needing help outstrips the ability of a parish's full-time staff to fully serve. Coming over with a nice meal, a tasty dessert or simply a nice visit can be a simple but powerful way to assist the parish mission.
3.Write a letter to your pastor thanking him for his service to you. Our parishes have grown larger while our priest shortage continues. Take a couple of moments to just thank your pastor for his work, his homilies, and most of all his dedication to bringing you the sacraments. An unusual idea you think? It is -that's why it would be so nice!
4.Pray the rosary. May is a Marian month. What better way to observe that connection than to pray the rosary daily. If you already do so, maybe you can buy a rosary for a friend. Then together you can pray -maybe for an end to the vocation shortage we mentioned above!
5.Read a good Catholic book. The good weather often prompts folks to think of some good reading done outside -on the porch or the beach. Skip the latest nail-biter this time for a book that will nurture your faith in the same way the water will nurture your garden. Looking for an idea? Try Pope Benedict XVI's “The Yes of Christ.” It's a brief, but powerful book on the spiritual exercises of faith, hope and love.
6.Attend Mass regularly. You do already of course, but somewhere out there are the folks that are missing from the pews in the warmer months. This is a fact any pastor not in a resort area will tell you. Take a friend to occupy the empty space next to you!
7.Don't forget the collection basket! As above, these empty pews in summer also reflect emptier baskets. Our faith isn't seasonal, so try to remember to be generous over these lean months. Even if you are visiting another parish, remember where you came from!