One Sunday I celebrated the 7:45 a.m. English Mass (about 75 people) and the 9:00 a.m. Spanish Mass (about 300 people) at a nearby parish. At both Masses the deacons I thought were supposed to preach did not show up.

Fortunately, I came prepared to speak and was ready to speak about the "art of loving" as a talent that we all have. Afterwards, a religious sister complimented me, telling me how pleased she was because "In their homilies, priests tell us 'to love' but they don't tell us how to do so. We need that." She was happy that I had explained various ways to love, and that I had included several concrete experiences of people practicing the "art of loving."

By coming prepared I learned that one way to "Stay Awake" is to anticipate possible upcoming situations. I was not caught off-guard. I was able to use the homily time well. And afterwards, when one of the deacons apologized, I was able to set him at peace by assuring him that all had worked out well and that I was not at all upset.

Fr. T