Going the Extra Mile
What does it mean to go the extra mile? It may simply mean seeing what needs to be done and doing it. Most times going the extra mile comes naturally to us, and doing something that is considered to be above and beyond what is expected also serves as a teaching lesson for those around us. We as humans can go the extra mile physically — perhaps by helping an elderly neighbor shovel his driveway — but we can also do more for others in other ways as well. When we see someone who is sad, sit with them and offer comfort. In joy, celebrate with them. In our saddest times, there aren’t many words that change the reality, but physically being WITH someone can be exactly what is needed — going the extra mile.
What does it really mean to say, “I’m in”? In this FatherSide Chat, Father Gene explores Ash Wednesday and Lent not as rituals of guilt, but as intentional renewal. A season to recommit, refocus, and choose something better for ourselves and those around us.
Some moments stay with us forever—the instant understanding clicks, or gratitude suddenly deepens. Father Gene reflects on recognizing “the good stuff”: learning, resilience, and the quiet sacrifices of those who came before us that made our own lives possible.