I want to bring 'tensions' to your attention today. Yes, 'tensions' and how tensions can be good or bad for you.

 

It has been a while since I last reached out to you. I don't know how these things go - we get too busy with life that by the time you look at the last time you reached out to a friend, weeks if not months have gone by. Does this sound familiar? It is by no means intentional, but the result is the same nonetheless.  Since the last time I wrote to you, a lot has happened with my life and Catholic World Mission.

 

I was ordained a permanent deacon with the Archdiocese of Atlanta on Saturday, Feb. 2nd. That same day, I preached at the Vigil Mass for the first time. I was equally blessed to preach at all Masses during that weekend (6 English Masses) and assist at the Spanish Mass on Sunday evening. What a blessing. The following week was Deacon preaching Sunday, and so I preached again. Since my ordination, I have celebrated several Communion services, Novenas, and Stations of the Cross. And yes, I officiated my first baptism as an ordained clergy. Her name is Lillian Marie and what a beautiful angel she is!

 

Catholic World Mission has been busy as well. Thanks to you we are well on our way with the fencing project for our Mano Amiga school in La Cima. We gave out more scholarships to students, and sent more medical assistance and missionaries around the globe. We have also undertaken two new projects. You should be hearing about our new project in Haiti soon. 

There are lots of successes because of your continued support.

 

All these Catholic World Mission projects and my new role as a deacon have created many 'tensions' in my life. I tell you with much humility that it is only by the grace of God that I have been able to satisfy increasing obligations competing for my limited time and energy. It got me thinking about 'tensions' in general. With much reflection I came away with this realization. Tensions can be good or bad for us depending on how we deal with them. You see, many things compete for our attention every day, and we are compelled to make a choice among them. In most cases, the things competing for our attention are all equally good. For example, as a father, the demands of work versus the demands of being with my children and wife always compete for my attention. The tension as a father to choose between work or family is good if I treat the 'tension'  like a warning light on a car informing me that something is about to go wrong. If I am spending too much time at work to the detriment of a healthy relationship and time with the family, 'tension' will make me know something is wrong. The same is true of the opposite. Spending too much time with the family to the detriment of work is also not good. A father is to be responsible after all and provide for the family. Tensions become bad when I ignore the warning signs that things are out of balance. When I ignore the tension and don't do anything about it, tension turns into 'stress.'

 

In the grander scheme, the tensions of the world of today are in fact related to a more fundamental tension rooted within the individual. When more individuals ignore the tensions telling them to make an adjustment or correction in their lives, these tensions turn into stress, which in turn gives rise to so many great tensions in society.

 

So for this Lenten season, my prayer for you my friend is to take time and listen to the warning signs or tensions in your life. What is it that is out of balance? Listen to that tension before it is too late. A great way to re-center is to do what the Church has always recommended which is pray, fast, and give alms. Interestingly, even with these 3 great pillars, tensions can exist. Do you find it easier to do anyone of the three pillars to the detriment of the other? Perhaps it is time to give the pillar (prayer, fasting, or almsgiving) you feel most uncomfortable, or have neglected, more time or emphasis.

 

Thank you again for being our friend at Catholic World Mission. I hope you will forgive me for not having written in a while. I was working on balancing some 'tensions' but now happy to be back and rejuvenated - ready to take the new sets of challenges and opportunities the good Lord has sent our way.

 

I wish you a fruitful and blessed Lent, and a little bit of 'tension' too. Believe me, it's good for you. Just make sure you act on it.