Beep! Beep! The screen on the dashboard indicates “Lane Departure.” Oops! That got my attention. Better be more focused on my driving, more attentive. You have to love the technology that tells us what we’re doing wrong. There is a button which will disengage this warning system, for those times when we don’t want that reminder.

Our small groups can be like the lane departure warning system. If we engage in our small groups and share what we’re doing (or not doing) in piety, study and action, our group members can alert us that we need to get back on track. Oftentimes, just by sharing in our small group, it becomes apparent, without anyone telling us, that we need to change what we’re doing. If we opt out of this warning system by not regularly attending group or by not honestly sharing, we’re not going to receive the prompting that can help us to be more focused, more intentional in our piety, study and action.

Our Catholic faith has a built in warning system, too. Through a good examination of our conscience, we can identify where we have gone astray, where we need to be more attentive and intentional in our actions. This may lead one to the sacrament of confession. Like the aftermath of an accident, if we stray too far out of our lanes, we may need others to help put the pieces back together. Through the sacrament, we receive grace, which strengthens us for the journey. If we disengage by avoiding regularly going to confession, the system will not work. It’s our decision. It’s up to us.

Making or working a Cursillo weekend is another place to gain insight into what direction we are heading. We hear about the ideal and we’re invited to consider “What is our ideal?” We hear personal witnesses in the various rollos and start to think about ways in which we may want to change. We engage in conversations with other candidates and team members and hear their personal stories. All of these interactions give us pause to consider what path we are actually on. Do we want to continue in the direction we are going, or do we need to adjust our course?

Sponsoring, if done fully, can also help us rediscover the value in the support offered by Cursillo. A good way to learn is to try to teach another. By sharing or teaching a prospective candidate what Cursillo is, we learn the same thing but at a deeper level. Cursillo and the Catholic Church are trying to help all of us become the person God wants us to be. Are you listening for and being attentive to the “Beep! Beep!” in your life?

“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4

Yours in Christ,

Tom & Diane Repucci