Daily Thoughts: In preparing for mass today I found myself focused on God proclaiming Jesus as beloved. Now in growing up I was a middle child, not a true middle child because I only had an older sister and younger brother and supposedly you need two older and two younger sibling to be a true middle child. However, I have proclaimed myself a middle child. I never got any attention! I was neglected!
For most of my childhood I sought the attention of my parents and I guess I was not real good in sharing it with my sister and brother. I was also a "pleaser." I wanted everything to be affirmed by my parents, I didn't want to do anything that displeased them, believe me it was an impossible task!
Now my parents were not the most demonstrative people in the world. They had grown up through the Great Depression, World War II and where serious people. Sure that could have fun and enjoy themselves but they certainly did not gush over anyone or anything! My father worked long hours at times and my mother was a stay at home mom. It was not until I went to high school that we got a second car. My parents were busy about many things, work, their faith, their family and could not always be present at the things we, the children, were involved in. They rarely came to my baseball games, my swimming meets, my basketball games. I was in one play during high school and they didn't make any of the performances. I ran cross-country and track my junior and senior year but they never saw me run. At the time it seemed like a big deal to me, I wondered if I was really a good son? If they really loved me?
Now let me say my parents were great people, the best parents and they loved me very much but as we all know parents seems so "dumb" when we are in our teens but they get very smart when we get to our 20's! As I look back now my parents were always present at the most significant moments of my life. They were always there at time when it really mattered!
I have two images that will always stay with me. One of my father at my profession of vows. He sat with my mother in one of the first two pews and a friend took a picture of him as I was professing my vows, the look on his face was priceless and you can even see a few tears running down his face. If I could have heard his heart at that moment I am sure I would have heard, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am pleased!" My father died four months after I took my vows.
The second image is of my mother at my ordination. The day before my ordination as my mother was traveling to New York, she feel and broke her arm. My brother took her to the hospital and the doctor suggested that she have surgery. As my brother tells it, for I was not there, my mother said, "No way, just set it, my son is being ordained tomorrow and I have to be there!" The doctor set her arm and by the afternoon she continued on her way to New York. She was in a lot of pain for the next week or so but she was there! In her presence that day I heard the words, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am pleased!"
We all have these moments when our parents presence speaks volumes to us. When their presence proclaims us as beloved daughters and sons. That is what we celebrate today with the Baptism of the Lord. That important moment when the Father and the Spirit needed to be there for Jesus. This moment sends Jesus on his way. This moment sends Jesus into his ministry. This moment sends Jesus to the Cross and the Resurrection.
It is a moment that gets played our over and over again in our important moments of faith through our parents, families, friends and faith community, God proclaims us as beloved daughters and sons. Moments like Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Ordination and any sacramental moment in our life. God claims us as a daughter or son who is beloved and sends us on our way.
Let us please our mothers, our fathers, our family, our friend, our God today so that when we next receive communion we might hear those words in our heart, "You are my beloved daughter, you are my beloved son, I am so profoundly pleased!"
Daily Prayer: O God, our great and wonderful Parent, declare us your beloved daughters and sons once again. Transform us with the grace of your love into the children you have created and called us to be. Children who bring your presence, your love, your mercy and your peace to the world in the Spirit of Christ your most beloved Son! May everything we do be pleasing to you because it is done through Christ our loving Lord! Amen!
We continue to pray during this Christmas Season for families in grief; for little ones whose lives were too short; for teachers, administrators and responders who put others first; for a community that must find a way to live; for all of us who seek a world of lasting peace! Amen!
Runner's Thought: Judge the quality of your run by the steadfastness of your movement towards the presence of God. Run strong because you are not alone!
Sorry for the lateness of my posting today but I was busy this morning and early afternoon. Hope you are having a great day. Hope you are finding some time to rest and just enjoy. I know many out there are struggling with the flu and winter colds, be patience and know you are in my prayers! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
I am glad you confirmed that I was a "true" middle child;)
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