It is just light enough so I can see the outlines of the trees, now with leaves. The day looks clear and promises to be what we think of as spring. But even as we get back to “normal,” that is pre-pandemic, the infection rate is rising again. It seems that the illness is not quite as bad as it was two years ago; that’s probably because so many of us are vaccinated and vaccination seems to mitigate the effects of the virus.
We have another type of virus and not just in New Jersey; it is the virus of anger and rage mostly seen on our streets and highways. Traffic is moving so much more quickly, drivers darting in between lanes just to beat the next traffic light. The hurry to get somewhere translates into rudeness and a lack of care for who else is on the road.
As more people are cycling with the spring weather, this is a real cause for concern. Just yesterday as I slowed down to let a cyclist go through an intersection because I was going to make a turn, the motorist behind me madly beeped his horn and moved closer towards me as if to push me forward – all this for only a few seconds of time. Whatever happened to courtesy?
Prayer for the Day
We bustle about, O Lord, sometimes heedless of others,
Who only seem to slow us down and even force us to stop;
It seems we are so much in a hurry, O God, but we must ask
Where is it we are going that we cannot yield to others?
Calm us, quiet our apprehension, still our fears,
Hold us and embrace us with your spirit of peace.
In the name of the One who summons us,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.
- Dalai Lama XIV
Every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration.
- Margaret Chase Smith, U.S. Senator (1897-1995)
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15: 1-4