Daily Thought: In a phrase we
might say that today’s readings are about “the value of life” or put
differently “the value of each person.” In our political and religious rhetoric
these days we hear a lot about the value of life and the person. We might say
that as Catholics the value and importance of life is our prime objective
however often it only refers to birth rather than the entire span of life. We
are profoundly intent on bringing life into the world but how concerned are we
about that life after it comes into the world?
In the first reading from the Book of
Wisdom we hear that God did not make death, that the creatures of the world are
wholesome and that God formed us to be imperishable; in the image of God we
were made. In other words each one of us who comes into the world brings the
image and likeness of God with us. We are each valuable, important, necessary
and gifted. Each one of us is unique and special. Without our presence in the
world a part of the image and likeness of God is missed.
St. Paul in the second reading continues
this reflection on the value of life. He reminds of what Jesus has done for us.
Jesus so loved us that he gave his life for us, that we might have life. In St.
Paul’s words Jesus became poor that we might become rich. St. Paul’s point is
that we each have a special gift and it needs to be shared. He asks us to be
gracious and generous people. In St. Paul’s eyes, in God’s eyes, we are all
equal and should share equally in the abundance of God’s love. If we happen to
be blessed at a particular moment in life that blessing must be shared.
Finally in Mark’s Gospel we encounter
the challenge of being gracious, generous and loving lived out in the person of
Jesus. He puts the value of each person ahead of the rules and regulations of
his own religion. Jesus steps across the boundary of becoming ritually unclean
to heal. Jesus values the life and health of the woman with the hemorrhage and
the official’s daughter because they are created in the image and likeness of
God. In each case Jesus becomes ceremonially unclean and was not permitted to
enter the synagogue or the temple to pray liturgically or publicly. It was not
that Jesus wanted to challenge the tradition; he simply acted spontaneously and
lovely because he valued life and the person, a stance that Jesus was more than
willing to defend.
We can talk about the importance of life
all we want but the proof of the pudding is in our actions. If we value life
and making sure that life reaches the world then we must ask ourselves if we
are willing to care for life from the moment of conception to the last breath?
Do we value ourselves and others? Do we value the least and the best? Do we
share our blessings so that all might encounter God’s love? Are we willing to
step across the boundaries of culture, society and religion when someone needs
us? Are we gracious, generous and loving people? These are the questions our
scriptures ask of us today! What answers will we give?
Have a great Sunday everyone and do not
forget to give God a little time today!
Daily Prayer: O God, you love
us not in some aloof, impersonal way, but with the cherishing love a good
mother pours out on her children; with the adoring love a good father delights
to give the children in his life. With the disciplining love good parents give
their children; with the protecting love shepherds shower on their lambs. Your
love for us now is gift-love, faithful, committed, unchanging,
inextinguishable. Grant us the grace to believe, to follow, to choose, to
experience this love even when it is difficult, even when it doesn’t make
sense, even when everyone else says differently. Grant us the hope of your
eternal love so that we can keep our hands on the plow always look ahead. Amen!
A Runner’s Thoughts: Let us remember
that if we run the spiritual path, God is the source of our strength, God is
our footpath, and God is the finish line. If we run consciously, with the
intention to move closer to the presence of God, then our movement, the sound
of our breath becomes a profession of our faith! (Adapted from Roger Joslin,
Running the Spiritual Path)
Daily Blessing: Sunday
greetings and blessings to all! I find myself in Manitowoc, WI today. I arrived
yesterday afternoon and have settled into my home for the next week. I will be
giving a retreat to 28 of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity here at
their Motherhouse in Manitowoc. This is my second year here so it was very easy
to settle in and I am looking forward to beginning the retreat this evening. I
would ask you to please keep the sisters on retreat in your prayers this week
and if you could say and extra prayer for their preacher it would be greatly
appreciated!
My prayer of blessing today is that you will
be blessed with the spirit of faith to help you on this journey of life. May
you be blessed with the spirit of hope to get you through the rough times. May
you be blessed with the spirit of love to remind you in whose image and
likeness you are created in, how special you are and that you are never alone. As
you journey through this day may you know that God is with you always and will
never leave you to face your struggles alone! Happy Sunday everyone! Peace in
Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment