Making a Joyful Noise through Lent –
03/14/2014
“The Church which “goes forth” is a
community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and
supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice. An evangelizing community knows that
the Lord has taken the initiative, he has loved us first (cf. 1 Jn 4:19), and
therefore we can move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others,
seek those who have fallen away, stand at the crossroads and welcome the
outcast. Such a community has an endless desire to show mercy, the fruit of its
own experience of the power of the Father’s infinite mercy. Let us try a little
harder to take the first step and to become involved. Jesus washed the feet of
his disciples. The Lord gets involved and he involves his own, as he kneels to
wash their feet. He tells his disciples: “You will be blessed if you do this”” (Pope
Francis – Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of
the Gospel)
Pope Francis words today might not seem
like they touch on our readings but they do. Pope Francis challenges us to be
people of the world, to be people who get down and dirty with those around us.
We are to be people of mercy and compassion. We are to be people who find the
good in others even if they have done us wrong. We are to be people who bring
joy to the world.
Sometimes this can be a difficult task.
When others hurt us our natural response is to keep them at a distance, to wait
for their apology, to seek justice, to wait for repayment, to hold on to the
hurt. However, Jesus challenges us to be people who seek reconciliation, who
offer forgiveness, who move beyond the hurt, who are people of service and joy.
In today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:20-26)
Jesus teaches us about sin. He does not talk about mortal sin and venial sin.
Jesus just talks about sin. The things we do, don’t do, the things we say or don’t
say that hurt our relationship with God. Sin as Jesus speaks about it is not
hierarchical it is on a continuum, anger at one end, killing someone at the
other. If we do not deal with our anger we are headed down the wrong road. So
in the Gospel today Jesus asks us to look at all our faults, our failings, our
struggles with others whether they are small or great. He asks us to seek
forgiveness and to be compassionate so that we remain on the right road.
In other words we are to reach out to
others, to serve other, to bring the gift of god’s joy to others. And if we
live life this way we will be blessed!
Have a blessed Friday everyone! And
remember make a joyful noise with your life today!
Daily Lenten Prayer: Good Jesus, have
mercy on us for we are sinners but even as sinners we desire to answer the
question of who you are in our lives with the conviction of St. Peter. You are
the Christ, the Son of the living God and you are never far from our hearts.
Guide us, through the struggles of this day. Make us aware of your presence and
enable us to trust in that presence. You are our Shepherd and knowing that
means we will want for nothing. Grace us with the strength stake our life on
this promise today and always by helping us to make a joyful noise. Amen!
Runner's Thoughts: “We run to undo
the damage we've done to body and spirit. We run to find some part of ourselves
yet undiscovered.” (John Bingham)
With this in mind let us run no matter
what circumstances we encounter. There are lessons to be learned from running
in various emotional states, just as there are when running in different
environmental settings. Let's not shy away from running in an unaccustomed
state of mind or an unusual situation. Opportunities for encountering God often
are found in the unfamiliar.
Daily Blessing: TGIF everyone!
I hope you will have a wonderful end to the work week that will lead you into a
relaxing and restful weekend.
In a little while I will leaving
Fairfax, VA and heading back to Pelham. This coming week I will remain at home
but also I will be celebrating a mission at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
just a mile away from home in Pelham Manor. So I get to work this coming week
but also sleep in my own bed! I little treat in the midst of Lent!
Yesterday I had the good fortune of
having lunch with my Aunt Betty and my cousin Anita in Fredrick, MD and then
dinner with the Grabowski clan in Fairfax, VA, in our words I had a very
blessed day! A corn beef sandwich at an Irish Pub in the afternoon and pizza with
my two grandnieces in the evening and a day with family I don’t know how today
could be any better.
I pray for God’s blessing on all of you
today that in some way you will have a day graced with the wonderful spirit of
God like I did yesterday. It might not be lunch, dinner and time with family
but my prayer is that you will be blessed with the richness of God’s presence
in your life in some way today. My your day be blessed with successful travel,
wonderful interaction with people, quite refreshing moments, nourishment that
energizes you and moments that remind you of God’s love and joy! Be well
everyone and if you can take some time to enjoy life by making a joyful noise!
Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment