Dear Friend,

Reflection by Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D.

On a recent Sunday, I was praying during an evening Mass right after Communion.  Not praying well at all. The proverbial shopping list.  Yes, it popped into my head again as I was trying to pray.  Across the street from Church and down just a little way is a ShopRite; it’s hard to ignore it as I turn into the Church’s parking lot.  “Before I head home, have to remember to buy….”

As I criticized myself for not concentrating after Communion, I began to appreciate even more that I had just received the Body of Christ.  His Real Presence was within me.  Would my words and actions after Mass reflect the gift that God had given me?  Would my immediate words and actions reflect that in my soul had rested the Divine Guest?

As my mind continued to wander away from my shopping list, I considered all the parishioners who might be heading to ShopRite with me.  Might the way we interact with each other be different than if we had done our shopping before Mass?  I brought this to prayer and blessed myself.

After Mass, I readily remembered to shop…although I had a challenging time remembering my list, except for eggs. I needed a carton of eggs.  Not finding them after a brief search, I picked up other items, and after about 15 minutes, I hunted again for the eggs.  I finally found three cartons. The first two had broken eggs, but the third was perfect. 

Just as I smiled in appreciation of good eggs, I saw a woman coming in my direction. She looked like someone in desperate search for what I clutched in my hands.  The last carton. I clutched them closer, but finally asked: “Do you need these? There’s only one carton that’s good.” I offered them to her, not very enthusiastically I admit. She said almost sternly, “No, I do not need them. I’m looking for potatoes.”  That confused me for a second—until I realized she likely was looking for pre-made hash browns. Then, she said again, “I do not need the eggs, but” and then she added something that I didn’t expect: “you need a headlight.”  Not quite sure what she had said, I responded, “Excuse me?”  She repeated the observations, this time urgently, “Your left headlight is out.”

I was so appreciative I now gladly would have given her the final carton. She had seen me somehow driving from Church to ShopRite and had recognized me in the store.  I wonder if she had gone to Mass. I wonder if she had prayed to God to open her eyes and heart to see ways to help others.

One thing is for sure:  If I had not offered her the carton of eggs, I would not have looked at her.  And, then she likely would not have had the opportunity to tell me about my broken light.  Because of that interaction, I may have avoided a ticket, or even an accident.  God bless that woman for warning me and protecting me from harm.

I am reminded of Caryl Houselander’s work, The Reed of God, where she writes: “Today Christ is dependent upon us. During this tender time of Advent, we must carry Him in our hearts to wherever He wants to go, and there are many places to which He may never go unless we take Him to them.”

Prayer:

Dear Lord, Please give us prayerful focus, deepening love, and Your light to illuminate our journey. Strengthen our resolve to carry You in our hearts today wherever our paths might lead.  May our ordinary undertakings be infused with Your love. Amen.

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Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D., Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, earned a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, an M.A. in Catholic Theology and Pastoral Ministry from The Institute of Advanced Studies of Catholic Doctrine, St. John's University, and an S.T.L. and an S.T.D. from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (The Angelicum), Rome. Dr. Traflet is a key leader in the Center for Diaconal Formation, and she gives numerous lectures, retreats, and days of recollection, including some specific to wives of deacons and deacon candidates. She is the author of Edith Stein: A Spiritual Portrait (Pauline Media, 2008).