I spent Valentine’s Day, working at St. Joseph’s Workshop. As the day went by, I witnessed to something I hadn’t seen before. A couple came into the store and they seemed hesitant. The owner of the store had approached them, and somewhere in between, I overheard the conversation…
“What Church are you from?
“Does it matter?”
“Yes.”
(Customer looks offended. PAUSE…)
“Why does that matter?”
“So I can make sure that I can give you the exact books you’re looking for, and to recommend the best place to look for them if I can’t help you.”
(Customer smiles. ENLIGHTENED…)
“Oh, so THAT’S why you were asking me.”
How many times have I encountered situations like this? How many times have I found myself in the couples’ position, being quick to assume that I was being ‘attacked’ or questioned, failing to look at the bright side first and think that they’re trying to lend a helping hand instead? Which then echoes a past mentor’s words: “NEVER ASSUME.”
As soon as the other customers overheard this conversation as well, they were quick to give their own recommendations of what the best materials are. They spoke to them and approached them with smiles, as well as recommending more suitable stores, and just simply lent a helping hand.
LENT – “past and past participle of lend.” Lend. We often use this word with the following definition: “grant to (someone) the use of (something) on the understanding that it shall be returned.” But when the customers lent a helping hand, they did it, knowing completely that they most likely wouldn’t get anything in return. They did it joyfully, it was contagious. Which then brings me to the other definition of the word ‘lend’…
“contribute or add (something, especially a quality) to.”
When they other customers – as well as the owner – lent a helping hand, they did not only provide them with aid, but they also lent joy. Which in this case, stood as a reminder of Lent.
Lent.
As we approach this season of Lent – the season where most people know of as ‘the fasting season’ – may we not only ‘give away’, expecting that when it ends, we celebrate a specific tangible return of something (i.e. being able to drink coffee again). Like the rarely used definition of ‘lend’, may we be able to look at the Lent, like the past participle, and be able to happily say, “I contributed to something (to my life); I have added something (to my life).” Because to be able to lend, means some kind of sacrifice. And to be able to sacrifice is love. But that sacrifice, then, reminds us that behind every NO is a DEEPER YES. And that IS, after all, what Real Love does to us, isn’t it?
Love allows us to have the courage to say no, only to uncover and reveal a deeper yes.
TOTUS TUUS.
Amen.