Editorial: A Texan’s Idea of Hell

If a Texan had to describe Hell, this native daughter of the Lone Star State would say February 12 - 18, 2021. Give me 100 days of 100+ degrees any day! I can find a shade tree, an iced tea, but I don’t know where to find a snowplow or someone who can drive it. Because Heaven usually smiles on Texas, we never have to worry about it. This frigid week gave us a chance to imagine – heck, we experienced – dark, cold, impenetrable depths. It also brought us together to watch Mass (if we had power) – more than a few joined Mass three times on Ash Wednesday. Why? It felt normal – connected. This time also gave us a chance to check in on family, friends, and neighbors. We worried when phone calls weren’t answered, we shoveled sidewalks, and shared what we had, whether refuge in a home with power, or tuna and beans from pantries, or towels to soak up the disaster of a broken pipe. February 17th is National Acts of Random Kindness Day. Across our parish, city, and Texas there were many acts of kindness that restored our flagging spirits and got us to the thaw. Kindness, that as Fr. Chuck suggested, lets us grow in our confidence and trust in God’s love and care. Maybe we can keep random kindness flowing without a freeze! ~ Mitzi