This little light of mine might not shine

Lent is finally over! I am so glad the dreary, rainy days that consumed the Lenten season are finally bringing a little sunshine!

Our choir sang "This Little Light of Mine" for the vigil Mass on the fourth Sunday of Lent. That song and the day's readings remained stuck in my head for quite some time. The reason? I think this little light of mine might not shine.

Despite the large crucifix I wore around my neck (proclaiming how Catholic I was!), the lesson I learned that Lent doesn't have to be depressing, the Stations I participated in, the prayers and reading I did during Lent, I found myself unhappy, especially with my actions. One action in particular.

There was someone that I lost my patience with and I chose to lash out. I had been holding my tongue for a while, and the pent-up frustration and anger that had been boiling inside me shot out like a volcano. There was some satisfaction in the release of it, but the aftermath left me with a headache and chest pains. I also know that it made no difference to the person I lashed out at. Their behavior will never change; only my reaction to them can.

My tongue and my heart have run wild without restraint, causing misery to others and shame for myself. - St. Ambrose

In a matter of minutes my anger wiped out the past four weeks of my feeble participation of the most holy season of my Church. Ugh.

I went back and read those readings hoping a little light would shine my way. It wasn't until I attended a Peter Frampton concert and heard this lyric that a low wattage bulb went on just for me: