FRIDAY POTPOURRI: IN GLADNESS YOU SAY?

So this morning I come downstairs to see that the water reservoir in the coffee machine is almost empty.  I’m tempted to walk away and let the next guy deal with it like whoever it is that leaves half a paper towel on the roll and on quarter of a pat of butter on the butter dish.  But I swallow whatever it is that I’m feeling and do it.

It just makes life easier.

Don’t you wish people just pitched in and did stuff?

Take the laundry upstairs.

Change the toilet paper.

Empty the dishwasher.

Take the gifts up at Mass.

Yes, your ushers wish that when they ask a couple of people to take up the gifts at offertory that they said, “Yes.  Sure!  Anything to help out around here.”

But often, such is not the case.  Actually I understand.  It’s difficult to stand up in front of people.  And for some people it is stressful to pay attention and hope you’ll know when and how to do things.  But please consider being more open to the idea of stepping up.

In paragraph 97 of the GIRM it says, “The faithful, moreover, should not refuse to serve the People of God in gladness whenever they are asked to perform a particular service or function in the celebration.”  So if there is help needed taking up the collection, the reader didn’t make it, or they are short a server and you receive a tap on the shoulder, remember that this serves as a great act of charity for the community and consider putting on a strained smile and in gladness saying, “Of course,” even as your brain screams, “Nooooooooooooo!”