Smorgasbord #44
Gut Check, Louis, Last
Hello friends, this is Smorgasbord, a self-service buffet of ideas—the awesome blossom of newsletters.
I'm currently around Happy Jack, Arizona, on retreat with a bunch of men from my parish (prayers appreciated). Still, I had enough forethought to write this Smorgasbord beforehand so you have something to nosh on during your weekend.
This week, my spiritual reading and prayer have inspired me greatly, so this is a more introspective Smorgasbord than previous ones. I hope not to disappoint in excess.
P.S. A couple of weeks ago, I published Heavyweight #1, where I’m recording (and keeping myself accountable to the internet) my fitness journey.
Alright, let’s get on with it.
Gut Check
On the nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (8/11), the second reading was Ephesians 4:30-5:2. There was a line that has been stuck with me since, “All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice.”
If you have read this newsletter long enough, you probably know I struggle with losing my temper. As much as I love my four children, there are times when my patience is depleted, and I can turn into an ogre.
This Bible verse was a gut check. Am I doing everything I can to remove these things from me? Kind of, but I could do better, that's for sure. I’ve noticed that when I pray for an increase in patience, the good Lord usually provides me opportunities to practice patience rather than infusing me with that virtue. This is not like The Matrix, where we can have skills loaded into us to know how to operate a helicopter or kung fu.
It takes practice, and I know I’m not going to get it perfect every time, and that's okay as long as I keep working on it. One day, with the help of God, I may be able to conquer this.
Louis
I read “Story of a Soul,” St. Therese of Lisieux’s autobiography, a decade ago and started rereading it during adoration a couple of weeks ago. It's fascinating how much more fruitful this second pass at this book has been.
I have learned more about the Martin family, Louis and Zelie, Therese’s parents, so references to them in Story of a Soul now feel like a reference to a friend I know.
Now I have my own little flower—my daughter’s middle name is Therese—and she seems to behave just like St. Therese did as a child; therefore, I have been praying for St. Louis Martin’s intercession that I may become the father my little flower needs.
I noticed that Louis would tell Therese to pay attention whenever St. Teresa of Avila was mentioned in a homily since her patron saint was being discussed. A funny coincidence is that I do the same thing with Lucia when anyone is talking about St. Therese of Lisieux.
Last
Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands set a new Olympic record of 2:22:55 in the Olympic marathon in Paris 2024. She won gold. The silver and bronze winners crossed the finish line three and ten seconds later.
With a time of 3:52:59, ninety minutes behind the winner of the competition, Kinzang Lhamo, from Bhutan, finished the race in last place. But if you watch the video of her crossing the finish line, you may think she was being crowned champion.
Then I thought of how sometimes I use running metaphors like, “It's not a sprint, it's a marathon,” to indicate a long effort requiring pacing and endurance. And how people talk about those who have passed as “finishing the race.” Probably in reference to Hebrews 12:1, which says: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.”
I don't know how long God will have me running this race, but I know I want to finish it, even if I get there dead last. The stakes are so high—we're talking about eternity here. Anyone can start the race, but we must persevere to receive the prize on the other side of the finish line.
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Sobremesa
What are you currently reading, spiritual reading or otherwise?
Is there a saint that you relate to?
Have you ever run a marathon?
Hey, I'm really happy to read anytime someone expresses greater self-awareness! It makes the world a better place. I am really grateful for that scripture verse from last Sunday as well, not necessarily because I struggle with those behaviors or attitudes, but because it reminds me what kind of world we are striving for together.
It's also great to hear about your reconnection with the Little Flower. I am pretty familiar with her because her national shrine is in my hometown just a couple of minutes' drive from my alma mater. Every year on her feast day, they rain down rose petals from the ceiling at Mass! I have a friend who drives in from New Mexico just for it every year. I hope you and your Therese get to experience that sometime!
And hey, thank you for that beautiful image of a smiling last place finisher at the Olympics... I can only hope to be smiling wide at the end of my race, too!!