Today's Thoughts...

Today’s Thoughts: “I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.” These words of Pope Francis seem to find life in our Gospel reading today.  In the Gospel (Luke 14:12-14) Jesus asks us to think and act not just within our comfort zone but to think and act outside it. We are challenged by both Jesus and Pope Francis to walk out into a bruised, hurting and dirty world and to celebrate life with the people we find there.
 
This is not an easy challenge. It takes guts, it takes selflessness, and it takes the ability to love. As Jesus puts it to the Pharisee in our Gospel today it takes a humble regard for others, seeing them as important as ourselves. It takes a community effort with no one person being more important than everyone else. It takes the ability to offer generosity without any quid pro quo!
 
Pope Francis’ constant theme is for the Church to be a Church of Mercy. he has asked us to find dignity in each person and to invite all to God’s banquet. The challenge today is to ask ourselves, do we find dignity in each person we meet and are we willing to journey with them to God’s banquet?
 
Have a great Monday everyone.