Into it    ...    or out of it?

ho hasn't heard this one?  "But I don't get anything out of it."  And perhaps many of us have said it as well.  It's best said in a sad and pained voice.  That's a low level of functioning, isn't it ... when our motivation for doing something is what we're going to get out of it.  Of course there are some who say that people only do good because of what they hope to receive.  Most of us find long-term fulfillment in doing things we don't get paid for.  

There are many thankless jobs, that's for sure.  We can think of those who care for those who cannot care for themselves, changing the diapers of adults, feeding those who don't even know they're being fed.  Even parenting a teenager often seems like there is no reward.  We can think too, of those who take care of a disabled spouse out of love.  What a great fulfillment of marriage vows.

Sometimes I ask kids to make a list of things they're thankful for.  If they can't come up with any I help them start with the ability to breathe, walk and talk.  Many of them live pretty cushy lives.  It's not difficult for them to see that they have parents who make many sacrifices for them, and often with no thanks at all.  Not many are brazen enough to even suggest that spending an hour a week thanking God is an unreasonable way to give thanks for what they've been given.

When many of us walk into Church we look for others we know.  Sometimes our presence, even when it doesn't feel beneficial to us, benefits others.  As a teenager, when I was less than stimulated by what was happening in Church, I would look for somebody who looked really sad.  It wasn't hard to find someone.  Often we know somebody who has lost a loved one, who cares constantly for someone in great need, who is in a troubled marriage, who has cancer or another serious illness.  I would spend time praying, just for them.  I don't believe they were ever aware of the gift I gave them.  I'm sure they benefited from it though!I

If we don't get involved, we're likely to get bored.  I remember talking with a young man who seldom attended Church.  He was bored by it all.  He was a carpenter and I suggested that he might need to pound a few nails.  We had a carpentry project going on the next day.  He came and helped out.  Things were never the same.  He still mentions that whenever he drives by the parish he takes a look at the project, to see how it's holding up.  He invested himself, and the parish was better for it.  He was proud of what he gave.  And he made some new friends in the process.  He has become involved in other areas of parish life.  I've never heard him speak of boredom since.

As a teenager we probably attended many basketball or football games.  We probably went to a dance or two as well.  If we'd go and sit in the corner, look at our watch and wait for it to be over we'd be pretty bored.  And we should be.  When we look for friends, get involved and even try to make fun for others ... then we go home happy and fulfilled.

One time I prayed the Stations of the Cross with the First Graders.  When we were about halfway around the Church one of the boys told me he was tired of it.  We stopped to talk about how tired of it Jesus must have been by that time.  His face lit up.  He began to understand the value of experiencing some of the things Jesus did.  The Stations of the Cross became his favorite form of prayer.  He has never forgotten that lesson.

hen we feel that we're not "getting anything out of it" that usually means that we're not putting anything into it.  On Saturday at a wedding a woman asked if she "had to" go to Church again on Sunday.  I answered, "In the same way you 'have to' love your children and be faithful to your husband."  These things we do out of love, not obligation.  How would things have turned out if Jesus had said, "I don't get anything out of it."  Jesus invitation is always there.  He says, "Do this in memory of me."  How much better things are when we do.  When we turn to the Jesus who is always available to us he says, "C'mon back!"  Now ... here's a story forwarded to us by member George who lives in Cleveland ...