FEBRUARY 2017
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perfectly ? No ! We ’ re human . We cannot live perfectly Jesus ’ plan to get to heaven . But , that ’ s okay . What we have to do to get to heaven is to get at least a passing grade on the Divine Test of Life . And , although even getting a passing grade is difficult , it is well within our ability .
I deal primarily with people who go to church . So , I suspect my conclusion is biased by that fact . But , based on the people I know , I believe a large percentage of them get at least a passing grade . In fact , I believe quite a few of them get B ’ s and even A ’ s . You may not believe that . However , my experience leads me to believe most people give themselves a much lower grade than does Jesus . Most people don ’ t give themselves all the credit they deserve .
Here ’ s a modern parable based on a true story . About eight years ago , I counseled a woman . Let ’ s call her Maggie . Maggie was depressed . She flat out told me she didn ’ t think she ’ d get to heaven .
I asked Maggie , “ Do you love God and your neighbor ?” She said , “ Of course I do , but probably not well enough to get into heaven .” I then asked , “ How many kids do you have , Maggie ?” She responded , “ Four . They ’ re 21 , 17 , 14 and 12 .” I pulled out my calculator . “ Well , your children have lived approximately 23,000 days . Estimate for me the number of things you do for them each day .” Maggie said , Oh , I don ’ t know . At least ten .” I used my calculator again . “ Okay , 10 acts of love a day for 23,000 days is approximately a quarter of a million acts of love . What do you think ? Will Jesus be impressed at the Pearly Gates ? I know I would be . Don ’ t short change yourself , Maggie . You ’ re a good woman .”
Sometime today , do a similar exercise for yourself . I ’ ll bet you , like Maggie , have been short changing yourself .
Pew Restoration Project Underway
The pews and kneelers at VOL are about 30 years old and are beginning to show the wear and tear of thousands of people participating in Masses and other liturgical events . Some of the pews have large scratches , and the padding in the kneelers and seats are worn .
We ’ ve begun a Pew Restoration Project to give the pews a little facelift , and to make parishioners more comfortable when they come to Mass . In addition we ’ re going to widen the space between pews .
The project will require that we remove pews and kneelers one section at a time . Not to worry , we will have full seating for Easter Masses and other large liturgical events . The project is estimated to take over a year , so please be patient with our progress !
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