There are times when teachers have their students write thank you notes to me for one reason or another. I received a bundle of notes and cards recently that students had written in honor of celebrating Catholic Schools Week. The notes thanked me for my service as a deacon. None of the notes mentioned my role as Superintendent of Catholic Schools. I wonder if that is because it is easier to spell the word deacon as opposed to the word superintendent?
Anyway, I want to share a couple of samples with you that really caught my attention. One student was telling me a little about himself. He said, “My favorite animal is a turtle because they don’t do anything.” I will admit that I had never considered the life of a turtle in that way.
I will write the next quote just as the student had written it to me. That includes the parentheses. He said, “I am thinking about being the first North American Pope (or listening to my mom and becoming a Radiologist).” Let that sink in a little bit and then consider his follow-up lines. “I guess it would be fun becoming a Radiologist because I would just have to look at X-rays all day long. I mean I would have to go to school a lot either way so win win.” Thediscernment process appears to be relatively simple.
The purity and simplicity of children can serve as a good reminder to all of us who may have become more than a bit tainted and cynical through the years. During the upcoming Season of Lent I invite to you become more child-like, just as the Sacred Scriptures encourage us to do.
