The
Second Vatican taught, “We do
not know the time when earth and humanity will reach their completion, nor do
we know the way in which the universe will be transformed. The world as we see it, disfigured by sin, is
passing away. But we are sure that God is preparing a new dwelling place and a
new earth. In this new earth
righteousness is to make its home, and happiness will satisfy, and more than
satisfy, all the yearnings for peace that arise in human hearts.” (Gaudium et spes. N. 39)
Our
current pandemic lifestyle will not last forever, but more important is how we
live our life as a disciple of Jesus Christ, even amid the dislocations caused
by COVID 19. Today take a few minutes to
reflect on two blessings:
Irish
Blessing
"The
test of Gold is Fire
The
test of truth is Time
The
test of God's love are the heaven's above and everything sublime.
Treasures
in life are many,
Dreams
realized our few
But I
know the test of God's goodness
Is when
he gave me a friend like you."
From Circle of Grace
“If
you could see the journey whole, you might never undertake it, might never dare
the first step that propels you
from the place you have known toward the place you know not.
from the place you have known toward the place you know not.
Call
it one of the mercies of the road:
that we see it only by stages as it opens before us,
as it comes into our keeping, step by single step.
that we see it only by stages as it opens before us,
as it comes into our keeping, step by single step.
There
is nothing for it but to go,
and by our going take the vows the pilgrim takes:
and by our going take the vows the pilgrim takes:
to
be faithful to the next step; to rely on more than the map;
to heed the signposts of intuition and dream;
to follow the star that only you will recognize;
to heed the signposts of intuition and dream;
to follow the star that only you will recognize;
to
keep an open eye for the wonders that attend the path;
to press on beyond distractions, beyond fatigue,
beyond what would tempt you from the way.
to press on beyond distractions, beyond fatigue,
beyond what would tempt you from the way.
There
are vows that only you will know:
the secret promises for your particular path and the new ones
you will need to make when the road is revealed
by turns you could not have foreseen.
the secret promises for your particular path and the new ones
you will need to make when the road is revealed
by turns you could not have foreseen.
Keep
them, break them, make them again;
each promise becomes part of the path,
each choice creates the road that will take you to the place
where at last you will kneel
each promise becomes part of the path,
each choice creates the road that will take you to the place
where at last you will kneel
to
offer the gift most needed—
the gift that only you can give—
before turning to go home by another way.”
the gift that only you can give—
before turning to go home by another way.”
God the
Father’s most precious gift to us is His Word made flesh, Jesus Christ! On your journey the Lord
walks with you, your job is to reveal His Gospel to those you meet along the
way. Take a few minutes today to reflect
on Isaiah 56:7 “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the
nations.”
[Jan Richardson, from Circle of Grace:
A Book of Blessings for the Seasons]
May
God Be Praised!
Hear my
cry! “Lord, listen to my prayer: turn
your ear to my appeal.” [Psalm 143] God, You are our refuge and our hope, I 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]
Provide
strength to the first responders, compassion to the medical personnel, and
wisdom to government leaders. End this
coronavirus scourge. Bring Your light to
all who wander in the darkness of this pandemic and give us hope in Your
eternal love today and every day. Amen.
[Dcn.
George Kelly]
