“Walking in the Truth”

I’d like to begin tonight’s entry with the first reading from Mass this morning:

2 Jn 4-9
[Chosen Lady:]
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth
just as we were commanded by the Father.
But now, Lady, I ask you,
not as though I were writing a new commandment
but the one we have had from the beginning:
let us love one another.
For this is love, that we walk according to his commandments;
this is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning,
in which you should walk.
Many deceivers have gone out into the world,
those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh;
such is the deceitful one and the antichrist.
Look to yourselves that you do not lose what we worked for
but may receive a full recompense.
Anyone who is so “progressive”
as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God;
whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son.

The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.
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It’s Friday! I have been anticipating a dinner of linguine in clam sauce all week. Unfortunately, the only Italian restaurant (and in this case the term is used lightly) in Bakersfield is Olive Garden—or so I thought. When I was looking for another store earlier in the week, I discovered an old-style Italian restaurant that looked interesting. I made a mental note to return on Friday to give their linguine a try.


While it was very, very good—good to the last drop, as they say—it wasn’t the best I’ve ever had. But the overall experience was enhanced by my witness of a couple who are obviously “walking in the Truth”, as the reading above alludes.

I barely noticed them as they sat across the aisle from me. I was busy solving my crossword puzzles as I ate, so I wasn’t aware they were watching me. As they left, they looked my way, and bid me goodbye. I thought that was, in itself, a little odd considering I had never seen them before (that I know of) and I probably wouldn’t see them again. But I returned their friendly goodbye and went back to my crosswords. I finished my meal and patiently waited for the waitress to bring me the check.


Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. After a half-hour, I said to the waitress, “I’m sorry. I must have eaten my check, because I’m sure you brought it out while I had my head buried in my book!”


She laughed and said, “The couple who were sitting across from you paid your check. You’re all done!” I asked her why they would do that—did I look homeless or indigent in some way? She again laughed and replied that they are frequent customers who pay for others’ meals quite regularly! I asked her if she knew their names—she didn’t. I told her to please thank them the next time she sees them and tell them that I will pray for them and ask God to bless them for their generosity. I was so flabbergasted!


After a very difficult and frustrating day at work, one in which I am sure I sinned by thinking ill of others who I perceived to be the source of my frustrations, this was a wake-up call. It was a reminder for me to be sure to go to confession tomorrow and to try to remember to “pay it forward” at my earliest convenience.

I wonder too if Jesus sent me this message to remind me to "lighten up" a bit in regards to my sometimes scrupulous attitudes when it comes to the Mass.  This morning, I was taken aback a bit when the priest intentionally went straight from the "message" of peace to the Agnus Dei without inviting us to share with one another the sign of peace.  The priests on EWTN do it regularly, and I know it is not a mandatory part of the Mass, but it surprises me when it happens.  Maybe this experience with the couple was a "make up" sign of peace given to me personally by my Lord.  I can hope, can't I?


In the meantime, I offer the following prayer for my unknown benefactors:


Heavenly Father, I often get so wrapped up in my own life that I forget the most basic of Your commandments—that is, to love You above all else and to love my neighbor as You love us. For this I am sorry. I thank You for showing me how much You love me by sending Your Spirit through the couple known only to Yourself.  I ask You to bless them, wherever they may be tonight, and grant them satisfaction in whatever intentions they have made known to You. Let me keep this experience close to my heart and remind me to pay the favor forward. I ask You this through Your Son, Jesus Christ Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.