Before going to certain parties, we can stress ourselves out remembering other years when we had conversations with people who never stopped talking about themselves, or those who fixated on divisive topics, or people who were verbally aggressive, or people who spent the entire time talking about other people with a poison tongue. We think - If only they'd change! If only we could change their opinions! How can we prepare our souls as carefully as we prepare what to wear or what gift to bring? How can we be a true disciple of Jesus and even show patient love for those who stress us out?
Fr. James Martin, S.J. offers us his "take" on the original Serenity Prayer:
A NEW SERENITY PRAYER
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the people I cannot change,
which is pretty much everyone,
since I'm clearly not you, God.
At least not the last time I checked.
And while you're at it, God,
please give me the courage
to change what I need to change about myself,
which is frankly a lot since, once again,
I'm not you, which means I'm not perfect.
It's better for me to focus on changing myself
than to worry about changing other people,
who, as you'll no doubt remember me saying,
I can't change anyway.
Finally, give me the wisdom to just shut up
whenever I think that I'm clearly smarter
than anyone else in the room,
that no one knows what they're talking about except me,
or that I alone have all the answers.
Basically, God,
grant me the wisdom
to remember that I'm
not you.
Amen
Walk into your parties prepared to patiently accept the people you meet, even see Jesus in them. May your holiday season be a blessing!