CHAPLAIN'S MESSAGE

Some time ago I expressed great admiration for the work of an Electronics Engineer, His reply was that it wasn't so difficult, because with outlines and repair manuals it was easy to locate difficulties and put the machinery back in working order. "But, " he said, "your job as Chaplain is much more difficult; you work with men's minds and souls, and they have their own wills. You might be able to pinpoint their troubles, but they have their free wills to do, or not to do, what you suggest to help them improve. "

In making the rounds of our installations, one meets with different kinds of people; some are happy; some are not, and don't know why.
There are those whose only aim in life is TO FEEL GOOD. They are always out for a good time, sensuousness, gluttony, and laziness rule them. For example, if the food served does not please them, whether in what is served, the way it is cooked, or the amount they receive, they are unhappy. They are constantly watching the amount and type of work others do. If they find they are asked to do a little more than the next fellow, then they are unhappy. If their free time is encroached upon, if their feelings are not constantly considered by others, they are unhappy. In other words, when anything interferes with their aim of feeling good, they are sad.

There is a second group of men whose only aim in life is TO LOOK GOOD. They want to be successful at any cost. Pride, greed, and envy drive them on to their goal of riches and reputation, no matter how many people they have to trample underfoot. If they are given work to do and think there is not much chance for success, or if the success will not be notable, or if it is not the kind of work that is in the public eye, they are likely to find ways to avoid the job. Their main aim in life is to look good, and when anything happens that interferes with their looking good, the result is anger. They get "mad"

Finally, there are the men who really get the most out of life . These individuals have about them a sense of security and a certain poise and peace of mind. They enjoy real happiness. These men are those whose aim in life is not to feel good, or to look good, but TO BE GOOD. Their single aim in life is to fulfill the purpose for which they were put here on earth. Life is too short for anything else. They know why God put them here and they try to do His Will. They are convinced that God knows best. Therefore, no matter what happens to them, such people are always happy.


The first step toward improvement is, "Know thyself. " What category do you fit in? During this Holy Season of Lent when we are reminded of how much our Divine Savior suffered to redeem us, we ought to take stock of ourselves to see what we are doing to show our gratitude to him.

Many long years ago, a little poor man who was rich in wisdom composed the following prayer, which all of us can profitably make our plan of life. Francis of Assisi prayed:

"Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

There there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

0,. Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It Is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. "

ANDREW G. WEBER
Captain, USAF
Chaplain

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Submitted By Lou Chapman