Just Right (09/27/2025)

Last evening my two friends and I made plans to go out to our local bistro. When I picked up my first friend, she told me she’d invited one of our parish priests to join us, so we were going to need a table for four. And it all began.

When we arrived, we walked to our usual table set up for us, but then we decided that the dining room would be better than our usual place by the bar. So, we told the waitress we were moving to the dining room, and she picked up our menus and followed us into the dining room. We selected a table for four by the windows.

We were seated just long enough for the waitress to disappear, when we realized that table was right under the air conditioning vents and it was colder than we would like it. So, we got up and moved to a table out of the way of the vents.

We had just settled in when two friends from our parish came through the door. And we decided that it would be great to have them join us, since they knew Father. They agreed, but we’d need a bigger table. So, we moved to the table across the room, in the corner for six. It had taken a while, but finally, we had settled on a table that was “just right.”

I think the wait staff was about ready to bounce us. But when it became clear that we had made a choice and were sticking with it that time, things warmed up and the fun began. We had a lovely evening of conversation over great food.

As I thought about the great “just right” table search last evening, I thought about how we make adjustments in life to accommodate others out of loving kindness. They’re minor adjustments, but they matter. They convey to the other that she matters, that her comfort matters, that including her matters. We learn this approach to addressing the needs of another from Christ himself who always saw the needs of others and sought to address those needs with love.

On our journeys of faith, buoyed by the hope of our loving Savior’s promise, and fueled by love, let us be on the lookout for the needs of others whom we are accompanying. Let us seek what is “just right” for the other along the Way. Let us be always aware of the importance of the little things in relationships and be willing to change, to lovingly accommodate for the needs of another.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.