Living in the Present
March is Women’s History Month—a time to honor the remarkable achievements and contributions of women throughout history and in today’s world. And this week we danced an Irish jig on St. Patrick’s Day. Today we celebrate St. Joseph who followed his dreams in the daytime of falling in love with Mary and in the twilight heeding the directions from the Almighty. Next week the calendar marks the Feast of the Annunciation marking nine months until Christmas. All this while Lent overshadows them all. Living in the present moment helps us take each occasion to reflect on its meaning. Whatever the meaning or message, Lent beckons us to be aware, pay attention, and become absorbed as in our Franciscan actions of gazing, considering, and contemplating so that we can better imitate Jesus.