Something To Start August Off Right

August now begins. It's another day at work as summer marches on. 

In the past, summer brought some quiet and respite from the usual "work press." While work matters have eased over the last month, it's different this year. In case you haven't heard, we're still not free of the Mess that began with the lockdowns in early 2020. 

It's more than a year since then. Many of us thought that, by now, "normalcy" - or at least something approaching it - would have set its feet firmly in place. Uh-uh.

The latest: Put those masks on again - at least indoors. Delay or reverse this or that "opening up." Indeed, Australia - the entire country - is on a complete lock-down with people and businesses retreating into the Limbo they suffered through less than a year ago.

For those of us working in business or government, it's time to either get vaxed or tested. Some companies make the jab a requirement for employment. 

Oh, and let's not forget the kids. They need the jab too - all of them. And they'll likely need to mask up in school again. 

What's going on? Does any of this effect you? Are you finding it a distraction or worry that forces its way into your work day, in addition to your personal time?

One thing that seems certain: It's just beginning - again.

I hope I'm wrong, but it sure looks as the Mess won't free us - finally free us - from its grip anytime soon.

So where does that leave us as this new month begins? As Catholics, we turn to - well, you know. 

Yes, to God, first and foremost. Yes to the diligent performance of all the duties of our state of life, both work and personal. Yes to conscientiously attending to our spiritual discipline, whatever that entails for each of us (prayer, the Sacraments, meditation, spiritual reading, study of the doctrines or our Catholic Religions, etc.)

Mess, less Mess, or no Mess, none of this changes - ever.

Thus we begin this fresh new day in this fresh new month of August 2021. And when day is done, and we've attended to all that is within our control (and the Mess decidedly is not), these words from Father William Doyle (Father Willie) may perfectly sum up where we stand this day, and every day, until that final day that awaits us all, Mess or no Mess.

The soft chimes of the angelus bell mark the fall of evening. Another day is gone. Another precious day, our measurement of God’s most precious gift, time, has passed away and is swallowed up in the vast gulf of the irrevocable past. Another day has passed! Another stage of our journey towards our final end is traversed. Nearer still than yesterday to that solemn moment of our lives, its end; nearer still to heaven with its joys unknown, untasted; nearer still to Him for Whom we labour now and strive to serve. How many more days are left? Too few alas! for all we have to do, but not so few that we cannot heap them high with noble deeds and victories bravely won. 

Puts all this Mess stuff in a wider and richer context doesn't it?

Onward into August!