We most often hear this reading or at
least part of it at a funeral mass. I always find it comforting to think that
the person that I have come to remember is now in the hands of God and that
they are at peace. I think back to my mother’s death and the years of struggle
that proceeded that moment. She struggle with dementia for over ten years. She
was not herself. She was not the woman
who brought me into the world or raised me to be the man I am today. At times
she did not know me or anyone else in the family. Her life memories were all
jumbled up somewhere in her brain. The expressions on her face were often those
of confusion and struggle but at the moment that I celebrated her funeral mass
I was comforted by the fact that she was now with God, she was now at peace!
The words of the Book of Wisdom and St.
John of Damascus comfort us today especially as we think of those important
people in our life that we have lost.
Yet, Jesus, in the Gospel (Luke 17:7-10), reminds us that throughout our
life good works are expected of us. Living life in relationship to God is what
is expected of us. We are not special because we do good things; we are simply
God servants, no more no less. The gift of being at peace, the gift of being in
God’s hands, the gift of being life and light are just that gifts given us by
God.
We should not expect praise and honor
because we live a life of faith. It is expected of us. Yet in living a life of
faith we are comforted by the end of the journey when God, who is Life and
Light, will hold us in peace!
Have a great day everyone!
Daily Prayer:
Day by day Oh Loving God,
Three things we pray
To see you more clearly
To Love you more dearly
And to Follow you more nearly
Day by day – Amen!
(Adapted from the Song: Day By Day from Godspell)
Runner’s Thoughts: “Life is for
participating, not for spectating.” (Kathrine Switzer) The same is true about
faith, thus if we say we believe, we have faith then we need to be participating
not spectating. So get out there and be a person of faith today – and maybe run
a little too!
Daily Blessing: Happy Tuesday
everyone! I hope your day has started off well? Here in Pelham we have seen the
little white stuff coming down from above off and on. It is not sticking to the
streets, sidewalks or driveways but it hangs around on the plants, trees,
bushes and grass for a little while. I guess winter is upon us at least for the
moment!
It has become a busy week here with a
lot of things to get done before handing to Jacksonville, FL on Friday to begin
a parish mission at Holy Family Parish on Saturday. So let’s pray for each
other that this is a good week one filled with spirit, energy and life.
May God bless us all today – Loving God
bless us – Bless us and keep us safe. Let your face shine upon us and show us
your compassion especially in those moments when we may struggle. May your love
and peace embrace us, all we meet and especially those we love. May our
journeys be safe and may we find our way home tonight to enjoy your gift family
and rest. Amen! Blessings to all and enjoy your day! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr.
Paul
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