I turn 78 March 1. There was a time when that age seemed extremely old. Now it seems very young. I share this information, not in the hope of getting cards or letters (yes, they would be welcome), but to show how relative time is.
I don’t understand Einstein’s theory of relativity, but I do realize how our view of time does change over the years. As a young boy, I would have thought anyone who was 70 was indeed very, very old. Now I accept the fact that I have aged. I also accept the fact that each day is a day to do something good for God and for others.
As I have shared before, I like to spend some of my free time each day feeding the squirrels who live in the trees around the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. When they see me, they climb down the trees and run to me. As I stand still tossing the peanuts, some of the squirrels stand right next to my shoes. I’ve learned to look down before I move. I would feel terrible if I injured one of the little guys.
My ministry doesn’t go completely unnoticed. Often someone will stop and ask me what I’m doing. When I say I’m feeding the squirrels, they are almost always delighted. If they have one of their children with them, I always give the child some peanuts to give to the squirrels. Both the children and the squirrels seem to like that.
When a squirrel gets a peanut, he or she often runs across the road behind the cathedral. I can honestly say that I have not seen a single car that did not slow down for the squirrels. Therefore, I have not felt any need to put up a squirrel crossing sign. People who respect life will respect all of life. I think Jesus saying: “What you do to the least, you do to me,” can be applied to squirrels.
I have a picture in my room of Jesus holding a lamb in his arms. I have seen no picture of Jesus holding a squirrel. Life, however, is not just about what we hold in our arms, but what we hold in our hearts. The more we love the happier we all are.
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