Today’s Thoughts: I have two sections to my thoughts today. First, I would like to reflect on this day and secondly, I would like to reflect on our Gospel for this day…
Remembering the 21st Anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001 “There is nothing that can replace the absence of someone dear to us, and one should not even attempt to do so. One must simply hold out and endure it. At first that sounds very hard, but at the same time it is also a great comfort. For to the extent the emptiness truly remains unfilled one remains connected to the other person through it. It is wrong to say that God fills the emptiness. God in no way fills it but much more leaves it precisely unfilled and thus helps us preserve -- even in pain -- the authentic relationship. Furthermore, the more beautiful and fuller the remembrances, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude transforms the torment of memory into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as a thorn but as a precious gift deep within, a hidden treasure of which one can always be certain.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) As Dietrich Bonhoeffer says above there is nothing that can be said or done that replaces the loss of someone dear to us. But hopefully Bonhoeffer’s words can help to give comfort to all who lost loved ones fourteen years ago in Lower Manhattan, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania. Perhaps, Bonhoeffer’s words can help all of us deal with what we as a city, a country and a world lost thirteen years ago. May his words give us pause to be grateful for the silent joy that all who gave their lives continue to give us. May those who lost their lives continue to be a hidden treasure for all of us, a treasure that we can always count on. “In normal life we hardly realize how much more we receive than we give, and life cannot be rich without such gratitude. It is so easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements compared with what we owe to the help of others.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) To the people who gave their lives, to the families who gave their loved ones, to those who continue to give their lives because of the aftereffects of this day even these many years later, to all of you I say thank you! Turning to our Gospel today… Recently I ran across a quote by C. S Lewis, “Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” These words from C. S. Lewis seem to fit well with our readings today. In our first reading from the Book of Exodus we encounter Moses and God having a conversation. God is fed up with Israel. They have found a Golden Calf and for the moment it has made them happy. God wants to destroy them and start over and but Moses talks God out of his anger. God choses not to give up on Israel. In our second reading from St. Paul’s First Letter to Timothy we hear St. Paul tell us how much of a sinner he was before encountering Jesus. How he thought he found happiness is persecuting the early Church until Jesus gave him the opportunity to see things differently. St. Paul’s message to Timothy and us is that God doesn’t give up on us. Finally, in our Gospel from Luke today we encounter the three parables that Jesus tells in Chapter 15. This chapter is often known as the Chapter of the Lost, because we encounter a lost sheep, a lost coin and two lost sons. There are many things we can take away from these parables but perhaps the most important message for today is the message that God does not give up on us! Yes, even today after all these thousands of years, we still spend a lot of time searching to things that will make us happy other than God. Yet, God does not give up on us. God is always will to welcome us home, whether we have gone else where to find happiness or whether we have become angry, jealous, or resentful because of God mercy, compassion and forgiveness. There are some people who don’t like or have rejected Pope Francis because he lives his ministry as the father in our Gospel today. Always ready to be merciful, compassionate and forgiving. He is our Moses always trying to talk God out of being angry with us. He is our St. Paul reminding us that God never gives us. These older sons can remain standing outside or they can join the celebration. Pope Francis is always going to remind us that God is never going to give up on us! Have a blessed Sunday everyone and don’t forget to give God a little time!
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Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P. "Preacher on the Run"Just a few thoughts to help you on your journey through life...let me know from time to time what you think... Archives
April 2024
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