I thought
of these words by Pope Francis as I read today’s Gospel (Matt. 19: 3-12). Over
the past two and a half years there has been a lot of discussion within the
Church about family life, marriage and the divorced and separated and I would
guess that many who lean toward a more traditional or legalistic view of the
Church might point toward today’s Gospel as a reference point in saying that we
should not change our stance on marriage especially in terms of the divorced
and separated. Yet, I often wonder if that is what Jesus had in mind when he
spoke these words.
Now to be
sure there is no way to know what Jesus meant or was thinking when he
challenged the Pharisees and his disciples with the words found in today’s
Gospel however, if we consider the whole of his life and ministry we might
point to the words of Pope Francis as a way to look at Jesus’ words today. I am
certain that Jesus’ words highlight the sacredness and importance of marriage.
Making a lifelong commitment speaks volumes about two people’s love. Jesus’
life was a lifelong commitment of love for us.
However,
Jesus’ life was also about mercy, forgiveness and encouragement. Think about
his conversation with the woman at the well. Did he tell her to go, get her
life in order then come back and see him about the “living water?” No he looked
past her struggles, her relationships and welcomed her into the mercy of God
and as the story goes it made all the difference.
We all
make mistakes, some small and some big. At times we think we are in love when
we really aren’t. We believe we have found the right person and yet we haven’t.
We try to do our best and sometimes no matter how hard we try it just isn’t our
best. We say forever and sometimes it isn’t. We work hard at relationships but
sometimes they are beyond our control because the other person walks away.
Don’t you think God, who knows all these things, is still willing to sit and
talk with us at the wells of our life? You better believe he is! So why aren’t
we as a Church just as willing?
The
Eucharist is an altar of sacrifice and a table of forgiveness. The Eucharist is
a place of welcome for everyone who believes. The Church is Eucharist thus we
need to be a community where God’s mercy is freely given where all are welcome,
forgiven, loved and encouraged to live the good life of the Gospel!
Have a
great Friday everyone.
Daily
Prayer:
O God, here is our heart, here it is with all its secrets. Look into our
thoughts, O God our hope, and take away all our wrong thinking and feelings. Let
our eyes be ever on you, and release our feet from whatever holds them from
walking towards you. We ask you to live with us, to lead us, to make our hearts
your holy temple, a fit dwelling for you our loving and merciful God. Amen (Adapted from a prayer by St. Augustine of
Hippo)
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “As athletes, we have ups and downs. Unfortunately, you
can't pick the days they come on.” (Deena
Kastor) And so to in the spiritual life…As people of faith we have our ups
and downs and unfortunately you cannot pick the days they come on. All you can
do is be faithful and keep on the journey!
Daily
Blessing:
Friday greetings and blessings to all! The storms of last night have passed,
though they were all around us we didn’t get much rain here. It will be another
90 plus day with high humidity so finding a cool place inside is the order of
the day I guess. If you are outside the New York area I hope things are a
little cooler and less humid for you!
My day
once again will be office work along with the 11:00 am mass at the Wartburg
Home. On Monday I will be headed to St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Long Beach,
New York to help out while the pastor is on vacation for two weeks so I need to
get a number of things done.
My prayer
of blessing today is that God will bless your Friday with the richness of his
presence, mercy, joy and peace. That God’s blessings will help your work day to
go quickly, your vacation day to go slower, your travel day to go safely, and
that whatever your day entails you may be blessed with good people, many
smiles, much laughter and God’s love. Have a great Friday everyone. Stay cool. Peace
in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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