Mtr Mary Trainor

If he brings you happiness
Then I wish you all the best  …*

Dear friend,

Deal-making, I think, is more art than science, as tricky as landing a trout, for those who fish.

Contracts, leases, even personal relationships including divorce, perhaps land best when terms are equitable. Maybe even over-fair?

But winning is such a sweet victory, personally I struggle with the idea of always having ensuring the other person comes out okay, too.

In today’s Office Gospel from Matthew, we bump into the notion of “bringing justice to victory.”

As with many things associated with Jesus, this one seems illogical, not smart, impossible. And so on. The way I read it, though, I am to see these “just victories” as a goal for which to strive. My bar for deal-making, for relationships, my interaction with an angry driver.

It's your happiness that matters most of all  …

Televised sports let’s us see what generous winning and losing look like. Generally, justice is a given. In the after-game interviews we see winners being modest and humble, while congratulating the strengths of the team who lost. Everybody wins something.

It’s hard to be fair. It goes against human nature, or at least my human nature much of the time

But if he ever breaks your heart  …

Once when Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment, he said 1. Love God, and 2. Love neighbor. I think this idea of bringing justice to transactions, to be intentionally fair, to build it in to our dealings, well—these are acts of love.

If the teardrops ever start
I'll be there before the next teardrop falls.

Mtr Mary

*Before the next teardrop falls. Listen here. Popularized by Freddie Fender in 1975, reaching No. 1 on pop and country charts. Songwriters: Ben Peters / Vivian Keith.