If our relationships are built on TRUST and LOVE we will be able to influence our family, friends & neighbors.  You see, “Discipleship is the hard work of building community and the harder work of reconciliation….  Jesus calls us to take on his work of reconciliation – work … grounded in the love of others.” (Connections, 09--08)

           

Let me share this story called, “Three Cups of Tea”, after a failed attempt to climb the infamous K-2 (mountain), Greg Mortenson was saved by villagers from the isolated, and impoverished village of Korphe, Pakistan.

                     

He returned their kindness by raising the funds to build a school for the village.  With typical American gung-ho intensity, Greg was driving the villagers crazy with his meticulous orders & demands to work faster, harder and better. 

The village chief, a wise man Haji Ali, pulled Greg aside for tea.  As he poured the tea, he gave the young American this advice: If you want to survive in here you must respect our ways. 

“The first time you share tea w/ one of us, you are a stranger.  The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest.  The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family….” 

Greg reflected, “We Americans think you have to accomplish everything quickly.  Haji Ali taught me … to slow down; that building relationships is as important as building projects.”  

 The Scriptures remind us that building relationships with love and trust is what Jesus’ disciples do!  The gift of God’s grace will be more apparent when we share eucharist (little “e”) with those we want to help!

May God Be Praised! 

I ask you to join me and offer this prayer to the Lord hears our cry.

“Lord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal.” [Psalm 143]

God, You are our refuge and our hope, we turn to you during this COVID 19 pandemic and plead for Your intercession.

In Your mercy and Your compassion “… grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick ….” [Collect from Mass Time in Pandemic].

Grant strength to the first responders and medical personnel.  End this coronavirus scourge.  Bring Your light to all who wander in the darkness of this pandemic and give each of us hope in Your eternal love today and every day.  Amen.  [Dcn. George Kelly]