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

I find that I can have a grouchy, touchy day without even knowing why. Dark, overcast mornings may cause it; a series of especially bad experiences at table can do it; a crowd of petty, nuisance-type, little things to take care of also suffice; facing hours or days of the most unpleasant aspect of my work will do it. But there are times when the reason for being grouchy is more elusive and living doesn't really allow most of us hours and days to do a lot of navel-gazing. It would be nice if others would give you or me a wide berth at such times, but how are they to know before we snap for the first time?

Possibly these are times when we need to indulge some innocent appetite, like chocolate muffins. Or maybe Carmina Burana, Beyonce or some Mozart would help. Talking to some understanding friend who soothes. Making plans for an outing or some entertainment. No, I haven't mentioned prayer yet. That could be helpful if we can bring ourselves to do so, even simply to complain. But it won't ordinarily work magic. As always change and improvement come about through an amalgam of grace and earthly help.

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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