August 5, 2022

Dear Friends,

         There are some weeks when I sit and stare at my computer screen for a solid 15-20 minutes waiting for the inspiration to write this letter.  There are other weeks where inspiration falls at my feet.  Last week’s letter was a struggle for a few reasons.  My brain finally sorted things out. This week was easier to have as I had an idea to work from.

         This week’s inspiration comes from a meme someone sent me. While I primarily send my friends and sometimes staff humorous ones, there are many out there that just offer the perfect balance of help when we are looking for it. An entire sea of water can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, the negativity of the world cannot put you down unless you allow it to get inside you. We live in a society where everyone has an opinion.  There is an insidiousness that exists in the comment sections of the world. I will be honest, it frightens me.

         It is easy to hide in the anonymity of the internet without thinking about the repercussions of our actions or how a comment we make can influence someone around us in a negative way. What people consider their internal monologue is no longer internal. The common courtesy and respect with which we treat others, doesn’t exist. I have heard horror stories of things being said on a local level in the NextDoor app and the Randolph Facebook pages. Attacks, slander, rumormongering, etc. It is not who we are as a people.  It is easy to say whatever we want without real repercussions online, which has emboldened some to be real jerks.

         There is a reason why my personal social media presence is limited.  I do not have time for that type of talk or anger. There is something more important that we need to be doing. It begins with us doing our part to keep the water from getting in. We do not want to sink the ship with our own commentary. Instead, we need to take what we see and help people, support them, and bring positivity into the world. It is not easy, but it is what we should be trying to do. 

         Our call, as disciples of the Lord, is to share our faith, to live the Gospel, to love our neighbor as ourselves. If you have not noticed, I am, at times, a giant goofball.  I own it. Why am I way this way? Because this is who I have been called to be. While I realize you are all jealous that you can’t be giant goofballs like me, it is fine. Sometimes I am jealous of others and how they are or act as well. The thing to remember is that in God’s eyes, we are loved and unique. Embrace what God has given you and share it with the world.

         No matter the case, I urge you to think about how your actions or reactions may influence others. If you are sitting online arguing with people about xyz, if your first response to someone is to call them a moron (I know there are other words y’all use, but I am not typing them in a letter from the priest, that will haunt me) maybe, just maybe think about what you hope to do with what you are writing. Moreso, remember when someone is calling you a moron (or other words), the opinion does not matter. Do what you can to keep the water out, either from yourself or others. Be the disciple that God has called you to be. 

God Bless, 

Fr. Brian 

P.S. What do you call an android that was designed specifically to move a small wooden boat around? A row-bot.