Serenity

 On my way to church Saturday morning, a car began closely tailgating me.  And after a few moments, I did what I sometimes find myself doing:  I sped up --- a lot.  At some point all tailgaters realize how far over the speed limit they are, and let me pull away.  I take some weird satisfaction in that.  I don’t thank God that no cop was around, because I suspect God doesn’t approve of my actions, or thoughts.  And on Saturday morning, I happened to notice the tailgater behind me turned into a housing complex; he likely was going home.
 

At mass, the monsignor was assisted by a young altar boy, or perhaps it is better said that HE assisted the young altar boy.  I’m not sure the boy did anything right or timely, but the monsignor quietly corrected him or motioned what he should be doing to assist at mass.  Then as mass ended and before the monsignor left the altar, he faced us and, pointing at the young altar boy, said: “This is (a name mentioned), and today was his first going solo as an altar boy.  Let’s give him an applause.”  And loud clapping followed.  It was a touching moment.
 

It was only later on, as I listened to the radio, that the morning events again came to mind.  The radio speaker said: “Time with Jesus is serenity.  No serenity, no Jesus.”  And my thought went to my reaction to the tailgater this morning --- no serenity there.  Even before speeding to break the tailgating, my serenity was broken.  I don’t remember what I was thinking before I saw the tailgater, perhaps I was even praying, but then my serenity broke.  And no serenity, no Jesus.
 

I never equated the events before, but I used to be irritated at people in front of me going way under the speed limit --- you can guess my thoughts, words and actions.  Then, within a short period of days, Jesus showed me that my forced slow driving may have saved me from a terrible accident.  After that, I began not cursing, but praying for any very slow driver in front of me.  Perhaps they were taking someone to the hospital, or just heard some horrible news of such a thing, or maybe even that they were drunk, and slow driving was a good thing.  Prayer is my now normal reaction to a very slow driver I can’t pass.
 

Why can’t I think that way about tailgaters?  Instead, I let their possible sin lead, me to sin.  It will take some effort, but I shall try to pray for those tailgaters who irritate me in the future.  I will keep my serenity, and serenity is time with Jesus.  The monsignor also showed me that serenity this morning.  And what do you find yourself getting irritated about?  Try staying calm and praying for them.  I know doing this will take some effort, but all good things take effort --- and practice.
 

And if you have even one successful effort, talk to Jesus about it.  He’d be interested to discuss it in prayer, and serenely reply to you.