Every year I resolve to make a good lent, and every year I am once again confronted with my failings. A bit of a pattern there :)
Anyway, I wanted to share a bit of my approach to things, both to perhaps help the reader, and to remind myself. I originally wrote this years ago, but microsoft saw fit to dispose of almost all of my writing when my laptop upgraded! Ok, on to the good stuff, unfortunately abridged:
The Undiscovered Country
In the Catholic faith, we understand that at baptism, we are anointed to the offices of priest, king and prophet. What this really means is that every single person we meet is a country unto themselves: they have their own culture and history, allegiances, conflicts, pride and struggle. I try to always remember then that with every person I meet, it is a diplomatic mission and a meeting of heads of State.
On a personal level, it can be helpful to reflect on how well I am fulfilling these offices for myself: am I bravely leading, am I exercising wisdom in choosing allies, am I serving the cause of peace in this world. Am I a benevolent king, a faithful priest, a forthright prophet unafraid to speak the words of truth?