Off Stage

You go to the theatre and see a wonderful acting performance.  The performers are so talented and so good at what they do.  You think that you could never do that.  Well, those actors spent a great deal more time off stage learning and practicing their craft.  At one time, they were inept. But they had two important qualities: to want to be an actor, and to be willing to practice and fail every day.  At first it was mostly failure as they began to learn their craft. Lots of mistakes were made and criticism was leveled by teachers.  But they did not give up.  What you see today on stage is the result.

The Gospel is only what you see on stage.  Most of the story takes place off stage where you do not hear about it.  On stage, Mary says, "Yes," to the angel Gabriel and then rushes off on a difficult journey to be helpful to her cousin Elizabeth who is old and pregnant for the first time.  At an earlier time in her life, Mary could not have done this.  But she had two things: the desire to do God's will, and the consistency to practice this in small things.  She failed some, at first, just like our actor friends.  But in time she got better at doing God's will and becoming kind and helpful.  What we see in the Gospel is the result.

It is the same with us.  Do we want to do God's will?  Yes?  Then practice doing little kindnesses at first.  You may mess up.  In time you will get better.  You need too things: the desire and the consistency of practice.