Roman Catholic Info

I must admit that this Lent, I’ve not been fasting or sacrificing much on the material front. The readings of Saturday from Hos.6:1-6 and Lk. 18:9-14 made me see things from a different perspective though.
Here God very clearly states that he values improved relationships more than sacrifices. It made me reflect on how I may have worked on relationships this Lent.

• Relationship with God – this Lent, I’ve been praying more. This is in the area of personal prayer, Bible reading, spending some time with the Blessed Sacrament during lunch and praying the rosary with the family as many days as possible. I believe that this increased frequency and maybe intensity of my prayer life has helped me in relationship with others.

• Relationship with others – a couple of weeks ago, a sales rep resigned from the company and enquired if he was eligible for incentives that he may accrue due to his achievement of budgets. I had instituted a policy some years ago (when I was the de facto CEO) that anyone who is no longer an employee of the company when incentives are paid out, shall not be eligible even if they had achieved their targets. We also practice a policy where a person has the right to appeal to their respective superior’s superior, if the employee’s superior had initially disagreed with any issue.

So, in this resigning employee’s case, I had informed him that he wasn’t eligible for the                 incentives although he had appealed to me twice. He thereafter appealed to the CEO (my             boss) who requested that I reconsider my position and repeal the policy as it was unjust.

I decided to accept my boss’ suggestion (grudgingly) to abandon this policy and I felt a                 sense of betrayal from this employee for appealing to my superior although he was within his         rights. I felt a certain loss of face that I had to now inform this rep that he would be getting         paid after all. I proceeded to write to him informing him of his successful appeal. He replied             soon afterwards thanking me effusively that he now has money to prepare for his baby’s             arrival. I felt good and forgot about the embarrassment of changing my own policy.

This Lent so far, I’ve learnt that losing myself to God’s requirements definitely give us joy ultimately, although at the moment we may not understand or even protest. My penance this Lent has thus far been to become more humble and abate my pride. I just pray that it doesn’t stop with Easter but continues.