The Gospel of Luke, chapter 2:52

Sooner or later, a man or woman discovers that life is a mixture of good days and bad, victory and defeat, give and take.

They learn the importance of gaining favor with God and men.

They learn that it does not pay to be too sensitive … that they should let some things go over their heads like water off a duck’s back.

They learn that the one who loses his temper usually loses.

They learn that everyone has burnt toast for breakfast every now and then, and that one should not take the other fellow’s grouching too seriously.

They learn that carrying a chip on one’s shoulder is the easiest way to get into a fight.

They learn that the quickest way to become unpopular is to carry tales and gossip about others.

They learn that people are human and that it does not do any harm to smile and say “good morning” even if it is raining.

They learn that most people are like themselves; that they have brains that are as good or better; and that hard work, and not cleverness, is the secret of success.

They learn that it does not matter so much who gets the credit as long as the job is done, and they come to realize that the job could run along perfectly well without them.

They learn to sympathize with the young because they remember how bewildered they were when they were young and naive.

They learn not to worry when they do not make an impression every time, because experience has shown that if they always give their best, their average will break pretty even.

They learn that no one ever got to first base alone and it is only through cooperative effort that we move on to better things.

They learn that people are not any harder to get along-with in one place than in another; and that “getting along” depends on the grace of God.

Fr. Hugh Duffy

* * * DO NOT MISS TOMORROW’S BLOG ON THE WORD * * *