I gave up detours for Lent.
I mentioned this over the weekend during one of my classes at the Tulsa Workshop. I was talking about the Little Way of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. I specifically mentioned this passage from A Story of a Soul:
The Lord, in the Gospel, explains in what His new commandment consists. He says in St. Matthew: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies...pray for those who persecute you." No doubt, we don't have any enemies in Carmel, but there are feelings. One feels attracted to this Sister, whereas with regard to another, one would make a long detour in order to avoid meeting her. And so, without knowing it, she becomes the subject of persecution. Well, Jesus is telling me that it is this Sister who must be loved...Thérèse describes in this passage how we often take "detours" around the annoying and unlikable people in our lives. Thérèse goes so far as to describe these detours as forms of persecution. Consequently, a practice of the Little Way involves not taking these detours and seeking out loving interaction with these people in our lives.
So that's one of things I did for Lent. I gave up detours. I tried to welcome everyone in my life. Even when there are...um...feelings.
