Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from You.”

"I never realized how selfish I was." Words of 25-year-old Bob in answer to a question about Sam, their/his first child, now a year old.  The focus of time and attention for Kate and Bob is now on this little bundle of high maintenance. (This is all old hat for you older parents.) Those who so fear commitment must have an inkling that it will make demands they don't even want to think about (sleepless nights, diapers, topsy-turvy 'dining').

Rearing Sam will demand of his parents an emptying of themselves reminiscent of Matthew 16:25: "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (New American Standard Bible.)  Saint Benedict gives that a very tough application in chapter 72 of his Rule: "No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else." Possibly the people who decide matters like canonization will surprise us someday with 'Saints Bob and Kate of Ourtown'. 

Will the loving care showered on little Sam build a deep conviction that God loves him?  Will this love result in confidence and a willingness to share that love with others? Will that love perhaps reinforce the self-centeredness we are all well acquainted with?  How do we reconcile freedom from self-centeredness with self-promotion in our profession or business or with 'fulfilment'? Does having reared little dears explain why many older couples are so gracious and gentle compared to some crusty old celibates?

PS -- Some septuagenarians and octogenarians claim to see vestiges of self-centeredness in themselves! Really! Perhaps all this points to our need for continual forgiveness and the grace and strength of the Savior Jesus Christ living in us.

Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”

Reply to Fr. Don at: DTalafous@csbsju.edu

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