A few days ago, I had dinner with good friends, a couple who had just returned from a three-week vacation in Florida. Naturally, they spoke about their trip and quickly recalled a highlight at what they called a "townie" bar next to the docks at Anna Maria Island. Somewhat reluctantly, they went with a few people they had just met at their hotel. Surprisingly, it turned out to be one of their trip's best and most memorable evenings.
At the "townie" bar, an older couple entertained the crowd by playing piano and violin, telling jokes, and getting the crowd revved up, making them laugh, joining in the songs, providing a great evening. The wife reported that she felt that, at times, their fun seemed almost indulgent.
After reflection, she realized that it was almost a new experience of joy after two years of living in Covid, watching the news about Ukraine, and just being hyper-aware of the struggle so many experiences and the heaviness that lies upon our world. Fortunately, those thoughts didn't keep her from enjoying the moment that created a precious memory.
We can relate to the heaviness that has overshadowed so much of our lives these past few years. In short, we find ourselves knocked off the straight and narrow path to what we expected our lives to be. We are stopping and asking ourselves: Am I where I want to be? Am I doing what I want with my life? Our world has taken us off autopilot and directed many to consider living more deliberate and purposeful lives.
As people of faith, we know the answer to these questions lies in the interior journey. Reflecting on this, St. Francis de Sales writes:
“It is by a deep and secret instinct that our heart tends in all its actions toward happiness and reaches out for happiness. It seeks it here, now there, groping as it were without knowing where it abides or what it consists of until faith reveals it and describes its infinite marvels. Then, when it has found the treasure sought for, ah! What contentment comes to this poor human heart! What joy, what loving complacence! Ah, I have found him whom my heart has sought without knowing him!… What ease, what pleasure, what a thrill follows throughout our whole soul! Then it cries out in love: "Ah, you are beautiful, my beloved, you are beautiful.’”
It's a journey well worth taking!
Fr. Jack Loughran, OSFS
Provincial
Toledo-Detroit Province
