Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

I have the greatest memories of my childhood and early teenage years. I was a kid enjoying the country that Bucks County was at that time. Our homes were surrounded with abundant woods and outdoors, canals, streams for fishing. Everything a boy could wish for. In the summer we ran through corn fields with stalks that towered over us kids. We camped out in the backyards of neighbors and our parents didn't have to worry. We were satisfied entertaining ourselves and just "being kids". Winter was a veritable winter olympics. There was plenty of space to ice skate, play hockey, go sledding and have non-violent snowball fights.

I was a paper boy. Remember that long-lost kid job. Arriving home from school, I changed, counted out my stash for accuracy, loaded up my bike and - off I went. Sometimes I got back home after dark. But, being a paper boy in the 1950's gave one a sense of entrepreneurial independence. There was a healthy competition between me and another neighborhood kid who had a paper route as well. Who could get the next customer? That paper route was passed on to each of my bro's. It was great being a kid back then.

Fast forward fifty years and the scene is quite different.
I am saddened this morning to read about a game that today's kids play called "catch and wreck". Children between ages 9 and 15 surrounding elderly folks in parks and homeless people and beating them. Young people of school age running wild in center city and causing havoc. I am unable to see the fun in all of this. From whence comes all the violence and violent behavior? Where is the fun in beating anyone, not to speak of a senior who loved children?

God help us, is all I can say.

I could go into all the reasons. But I will leave that up to your imagination. Two weeks ago one of our seniors left a parish meeting around 8:00 P.M. only to have his car surrounded by some young tuffs who pounded on his car and most definitely frightened the gentleman - and a gentle man he is.

God help us.

May these Lenten Days lead us to peace. That was the Risen Savior's wish on Easter Night.

Pax et Bonum.