2/23/2021
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| Di Paulo, Annunciation |
Followup thoughts about the extra time afforded by the 4:30 AM wakeup from yesterday, and again today.
It allows me to go slower, more peacefully. Because I know I’ve lowered the risk of losing the time to pray. Whereas, subtract a quarter-hour and now it’s like, this thing better fit, or I’m playing already catchup. It’s just funny to think of 4:45 AM as already “late,” but there you go. “At Dawn We Slept.” Comes to mind.
It also allows me greater patience in the confessional, which is important. So there’s this temptation when I’m doubling my half-hour meditation with my availability to hear confessions, to hurry or to be particularly expeditious with a penitent. That’s not good. It’s not fair to the penitent, at all. I should be doing my utmost to make it easy for them. Damn this sense that they’re inconveniencing me. The extra quarter-hour helps there. It’s for the sake of the conversion of the souls of my parishioners. There, I said it. Why are you getting up at 4:30 AM? For the conversion of my parish.
Similarly, I need to be more punctual with the 9:40 AM on Sunday. I’ll be tempted to snack more at breakfast or coffee. Same thing. Why are you wrapping up breakfast now? The salvation of souls and the conversion of my parish. Got it.
