…Where there is hatred, let me sow love…

For a number of years, Fr. Kraker, retired Pastor of St. Vincent in Akron, wrote bulletin articles featuring his dog Vinnie, and later Minnie.  In light of this, I feel inspired to start sharing a few with my buddy, Blaise.  We’ll call them Blaise Blurbs!

Fr. Jeremy - I’m sorry I had to take you to the vet, Blaise.  Every time I do, you get real shaky and nervous and start salivating a lot.  But in the end, it turns out okay.

Blaise - Yes, Boss, I agree with that.  But what about those shots!?!  I don’t like them!  However, I do like that bacon flavored stuff they give me for coughs.  Can you get me more of that?

Fr. J - Maybe.  But that is for kennel cough.  We can get you bacon favored treats if you like bacon.  But that’s another thing.  I can’t believe it, but 5 years ago, I brought you into the vet and you were 17 lbs. at 2 months old.  Now, at 5 years old, you are 116 lbs.!  Dr. Pearson says you have to get on a program.

B - What’s wrong with treats?  I love them!  They are tasty and fill my tummy with joy!  And what is with this program thing?  I thought he was telling you to get with the program! 

Fr. J - Well, sometimes too much of a good thing is too much of a good thing.  That’s why Lent is such a great time for us.  We can take a moment to look at our lives and see if anything is out of order.  If so, we can make adjustments to better our lives that will hopefully last a lifetime.

B - So what does that mean for me? 

Fr. J - Perhaps it means eating carrot bites instead of bacon bites.  Are you okay with trying that out during Lent?  I just want you to be healthy so you can be the best dog you can be.  Sound good?

B - Whatever you say, Boss.  I trust you…

…”Where there is hatred, let me sow love”…  When it comes to hatred and love, sometimes the hardest one to love is ourselves, especially when it comes to our self-image and our health.  Will you love yourself and resist self-hatred this Lent by taking baby steps in self-care so you can be the best you can be for those around you?

God bless you this Lent and always,
Fr. Jeremy