Airplanes, Birds, and People

I live near an airport, so I see and hear a number of airplanes above me every day. Recently my husband and I were patiently waiting in our car at a traffic light. Abig jet flew high above us as it headed east preparing to land at the airport. At the same time, a flock of about fifty black birds headed west flew over our car. I noticed the criss-cross of the objects I was watching, and it got me thinking of their different sizes, altitudes, and directions.

The season of Lent will be upon us by next Sunday. In our busy and varied lives, we all go about our agendas in multiple directions, and, you might even say, at various heights of activity. In all the hustle and bustle of approaching springtime, new big and small projects are started, seeds are planted, hopes are formulated. Intellectually, we are at different levels. Goals are in many lofty directions. Energies are prioritized.

Planning is important. Onward and upward! Let us lift ourselves up above winter doldrums. In today’s liturgy reading from the First Letter of James 1:1-11, we are encouraged to persevere and to pray to God for wisdom; so, we should set as a goal to possibly add a little more daily prayer time in preparation for Lent, and, before we know it, Easter. Our loving Lord will help us to rise above our trials and tribulations when we aim to come closer to him. We could decide to seek out a Bible study group or a faith-sharing group. We could mix and match different levels of personal experience with other people pursuing a Lent-inspired flight with the Holy Spirit.

If we want to try to lift ourselves above mundane concerns, we might pray with part of our Blessed Mother’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-49) and add a few personal thoughts of our own.

   My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

       my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

                                                                 Today, in February 2024, my soul takes

                                                                  time to consider how great and enduring

                                                                  the love of Jesus is in my life, especially…

   For he has looked upon his handmaid’s

   lowliness;                                              How forgiving is the Lord when I have

                                                                   fallen short! I will be patient with others,

                                                                   even in small things this Lent.

   behold, from now on will all ages call me

   blessed.                                                 I will draw others’ attention to our loving

                                                                   Lord’s blessings, and how to be thankful.

                                                                   I am especially grateful today for……

   The Mighty One has done great things for

       me, and holy is his name.            I will try to do some kind and loving

                                                                  things today for (names of others ) and

                                                                  I will praise God’s holy name.

 So, may we rise to new heights little by little, day by day! May we each use our own range of gifts and talents and encourage others to do the same. Let’s fly high!