On the spiritual
page of the Catholic Times the columnist recounts
the story of a religious group who had decided to spend an Easter
Sunday, after attending liturgy, playing sports on an Emmaus trip. The
religious brother who was in charge of the outing went ahead to
prepare for the time together
of the 30 religious in the country. He prepared all the necessary
equipment: nets, balls, bats, and so forth, and of course plenty of
food for
snacks.
While traveling to the site, the brothers, not having spent time together in this fashion for some time, were busy chatting , singing and eating. They were enjoying the warm weather and their time together. The brother who had prepared for the sporting events felt satisfied that he had done what needed to be done to give everyone a enjoyable time, anticipating the surprise of the brothers when seeing all the equipment he had prepared.
Arriving at the playing grounds, they all changed into their sporting clothes and soccer shoes, and after loosening up the body with their stretching exercises, starting looking for the soccer balls.
The monastery on these outings usually spent time playing soccer, and in the evening eating pork ribs. These 30 young religious all were looking for the soccer balls. It was then that the brother religious who prepared all the equipment remembered that he had forgotten the most important item: the soccer balls.
While traveling to the site, the brothers, not having spent time together in this fashion for some time, were busy chatting , singing and eating. They were enjoying the warm weather and their time together. The brother who had prepared for the sporting events felt satisfied that he had done what needed to be done to give everyone a enjoyable time, anticipating the surprise of the brothers when seeing all the equipment he had prepared.
Arriving at the playing grounds, they all changed into their sporting clothes and soccer shoes, and after loosening up the body with their stretching exercises, starting looking for the soccer balls.
The monastery on these outings usually spent time playing soccer, and in the evening eating pork ribs. These 30 young religious all were looking for the soccer balls. It was then that the brother religious who prepared all the equipment remembered that he had forgotten the most important item: the soccer balls.
One of the group took the van into town and after some time came back with some balls. That day they were only able to play soccer for a short period of time. The brother in charge of athletics was, of course, exasperated and humiliated.
One who is responsible for a task wants to do their best, the columnist reminds us. There are times that a person thinks what he considers important others will also. However, this thinking leaves no room for the different demands of others and we often experience friction and confusion as a result. This always begins with good intentions, but it is not what others may want: one person's good deed turns out to be a problem for others.
The columnist concludes by offering some advice. Before we plan to act upon a thought or impulse we should discern whether it is merely personal or something others would approve of. This requires give and take. Dialogue brings about relationship and is the window to communicating and a necessity for mature growth. Do you have a good thought that has come to mind? Then share it with another. This will arouse an even better feeling.