I just walked into the office.

Let me write those words again.

I just WALKED into the office.

Over the past year, I’ve received four lumbar shots, had three MRIs, two x-rays, a myelogram, my bloodwork done several times, three hospital stays, a discectomy, and an anterior lumbar interbody fusion. I’ve used a cane. Then, a walker. Finally, a wheelchair.

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My poor little sniffly kindergartner cannot seem to stay healthy. As a result, my wife and I have been emphasizing a few keys she can focus on to bolster her immune system.

The First Key: Reduce Sugar. You have enough energy already. Sugar has virtually no nutritional value and only leaves you wanting more. The Second Key: More Veggies and Fruits. This is the stuff that “sticks to your bones.” It makes you big and strong. The Third Key: Stop Sharing Your Water Bottle. You are inviting germs into your body. The Fourth Key: Stop Wiggling Your Baby Teeth. Keep your hands out of your mouth. Be patient. The Fifth Key: Get Your Sleep. You’ll die without it.

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It can be difficult to stay “locked in” all the way through Mass. We know it isn’t easy to pay full attention to anything these days. I sometimes wonder if that is the real reason movie theaters aren’t as popular as they once were. It might not be because Netflix and other streaming services are releasing so many new films or the increasing size of crystal-clear televisions. It might just be that people want to scroll on their phones while watching a movie.

Full attention to anything seems to be at an all-time low and it is easy to miss something important. That said, I hope you didn’t miss a crucial ingredient in this Sunday’s first reading.

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When Jesus prepares his disciples for his imminent departure, he begins with the words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

Easy for him to say, right? He is God. Meanwhile, we are stuck here on Planet Earth dealing with the fallout of free will.

And the free will God has given us applies to everyone. It’s given to folks who use it to follow Jesus’ example with astonishing consistency. It’s also given to folks who moderately try to be Christians, but never venture too far beyond their own comfort. And unfortunately, it’s given to those who repay the gift with cruelty and sin.

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