Seventh Sunday of Easter

May 14th, 2012

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Readings for your Reference: Psalm: 27:7-9, Acts: 1:15-20      1st letter John 4:11-16, Gospel John 17:11-19

A Reflection for Families:

“I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord. I will come back and your hearts will rejoice.” John 14-18

This week, I would like to dedicate the reflection to the families represented in our large family of St. Mary’s Health Care system: the families of staff, patients, residents and visitors. Today as I write this we are celebrating Mother’s day. On June 1st we will enjoy Children’s day. Fathers will be honored on June 17th and Grandparents on September 9th.

Families are unique; no two are alike. Our scripture readings for pondering, speak to the familial challenges of the infant church following the death of Jesus. The Psalmist lifts up a prayer, the like of which can be heard by many a family member in time of distress, “O Lord hear my voice, for I have called to you; of you my heart has spoken; hide not your face from me.”

In the lines from Acts: 115-20, Peter, finds himself with a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. He stands among the other disciples calling upon them to help with the job of choosing someone to fill the void left by Judas who has transitioned to his home with God, after much mental and spiritual pain. We in our own families find a void when a loved one leaves the family through illness, death or choice. Hopefully, those who remain behind will find the grace to pull together through prayer, love, the support of friends, and staying in touch with reminders of God’s care for us in the scriptures.

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. Whoever acknowledges and turns to God, God will remain in that person and they in God. Therefore, we have come to know and believe in the love and care God has for us. “1 John 4:11-16”.

Our Gospel reading for today is full of the evidence of God’s care for our families evident in the thoughts and words of Jesus. As Jesus prepares to return to his Father, he is in the midst of a long prayer for his followers. That would include us… “Holy Father, keep them in your name, that you have given me so that they may be one as we are one”…As you sent me into the world, so I send them into the world. Consecrate them in truth. Keep them from evil…”

It is a joy and a blessing to observe the men and the women who serve our patients and residents here in our large family at St. Mary’s Health System. They are grandparents, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who come to serve the sick, the dying, the lonely and the frightened children of God. Often they carry concerns about the wellness, safety and security of their own family members. Their devotion to those in their care is obvious and if they are distracted the tenderness and skill with which they work is not diminished. This is not easy. I personally can recall times of family challenges when it was difficult to have both legs in the halls of St. Mary’s and not want to leave to tend to the situation of a loved one.

We are blessed in the leadership we have in our organization as well. These leaders are sensitive and caring and go the extra mile with their people to assist in whatever way they can to ease the difficulties a staff member may be going through.

We have an Awesome God who rewards us for our efforts. Yes, the answers are not always immediate or in the package we would like but, there will be an answer… Go Well and Gently on to Celebrate Family!

Blessings,

Elizabeth Lowe
Chaplain BC

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Sixth Sunday of Easter

May 11th, 2012

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48      1 John 4:7-10      John 15:9-17

“Love is a many splendored thing”, so the old movie song goes. In common everyday language, the many splendors of love tend to be seen as a “feeling good” love that makes few demands. This kind of love is usually portrayed as something fairly easy to come by; we “fall” in love. In contrast, we hear through the influence of the “12 steps” programs about “tough love”, a kind of love that seems at face value to be rather harsh; but it is really given with the good of the loved one in mind. Although there may be touches of both of these kinds of love in what Jesus says in this Sunday’s Gospel, he really takes the idea of Christian love to a much different place. God’s love for us is both free and costly! It is free in that God first loved and chose us (second reading and gospel); it is costly in that being loved requires us to “love one another as Christ has loved” us and to “lay down our life” for others.

Surely this kind of loving is not something we do on our own. We are able to love in this lavish way of spending ourselves for the good of others because of Christ and the life that he gives. The key is that we have been chosen. In other words, Christian loving is something way beyond the many splendored things we sing about; this love is the fulfillment of our search for intimacy and belonging that is initiated by and completed in Christ.

The love of Christ is a fruitful love because the lover does the unthinkable: lays down his/her live. Our preference is to skip to the joy that John speaks about in this Sunday’s Gospel; Jesus invites us to remain in his love so that our “joy might be complete”. And what is this complete joy? Jesus’ joy in us is complete when it calls forth from us as total a self-surrender as was Jesus’. This is what real life is about; this is what real love is about. We must give without counting the cost.

Clearly, our fifty-day celebration of Easter is not something apart from the cares and demands of our everyday living. Jesus’ Gospel message is always practical, something that can speak to the messiness of our everyday lives. Resurrected life is filled with love and joy and friends when it is grounded in the stark reality of self-surrender. Jesus gave 100 percent; so must we. And then is our joy complete. This is why we still sing the many splendored Alleluias!

Reflection Questions:

What does it mean for me to be Christ’s friend?

Where is God asking me to lay down my life for another – at home, work, in the world?

It is evident to me that I have been chosen by God to bear fruit because . . . and how . . .

Fr. Joseph Man ship

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Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 4th, 2012

 Acts of the Apostles 9:26-31            1 John 3:18-24                John 15:1-8

“I am the vine and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, then you will produce lots of fruit.” Jn. 15:5

“If you let my teachings become part of you, then you can pray for whatever you want and your prayer will be answered.” Jn. 15:7

“I tell you for certain that the Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name so that you will be completely happy.” Jn. 16:23-24

“I am telling you all this before I leave.” Jn. 14:29

In this gospel of John, Jesus can’t be clearer in His teachings. Why does it take us so long in our lives to “get it?” I’ve heard all this before, but now that I am an old man, I hear it differently. Jesus’ words are finally starting to make sense to me. Usually, we are so preoccupied with our needs and our family’s needs that we hear only what is pertinent to us now. We are focused on surviving now. But in our preoccupation, we don’t hear the “secrets” that are being told to us. “If you let my teachings become part of you, you can pray for whatever you want and your prayer will be answered.” “Yeah, yeah,” we say, “but right now I need this and I need that, etc.” Jesus’ teachings are spiritual and that doesn’t put food on the table. But I say that’s just the point. Take Jesus up on His word. Why wouldn’t it work?

Jesus isn’t only preoccupied with spiritual care. His first public miracle was prompted by His friends running out of wine at the wedding reception at Cana. He also made sure that the crowds that were following Him were fed. Even after His resurrection, Jesus joined His followers on a beach and fed them with a “fish fry.” Jesus cooked! Before Jesus spoke to anyone regarding spiritual matters, He frequently would cure them of physical ailments. Physical and spiritual go hand in hand.

In my old age, I pray to God very differently than I used to. God is my Abba. As my kids are made in my image through my gene pool, I am made in my Abba’s image. I am of my Abba’s family. He loved me first, independently of what I do or say. I now dare to talk to God as my Abba. I never feel like, “Sorry to bother you!” My Abba is always there for me like we are always there for our kids, no matter how old or independent they are.

However, I’m starting to realize that I am not always “there” for myself. How easily we can get side tracked and distracted. How can I expect God to be more focused on me than I am on myself? But as I get older, I have fewer distractions. My circle of friends has diminished. They are not around anymore. They have died or are sickly and don’t “go out” anymore. I am more alone now than I’ve ever been; but I’m never lonely because when I am alone I am more quiet, and quiet has a way of bringing me “in.” I seem to have more quiet time now to connect with my Abba. I can’t begin to describe the inner peace that my Abba has shared with me. Every day I place the people that I love in Abba’s hands. Life goes on, but now I know that Abba will grant me what I ask for if I am true to Jesus’ teachings. It’s taken me too long, but now I expect to be heard when I talk to Abba and I am never let down.

Sometimes life happens and we are “forced” to be alone. Either we are sick or we have been in an accident. We are not able to be active. Something happens to slow us down or to render us inactive. We are so sick that we have to be hospitalized. And when we do get out of the hospital, we have to recuperate and “take it easy.” Often the worse pain is to be forced to be alone. As I get older and more limited physically, I am never “forced” to be alone. I welcome opportunities to be alone. My old man secret is: “I am never really alone!” I never feel alone, ever!

An old saying goes: “Growing old is not for wimps.”

It isn’t easy to let go of life long habits we’ve gotten used to and of people who used to be part of our life and so many activities we can no longer do. Nothing prepared me for being alone so much and for genuinely depending on others. But I can honestly say that I never really feel alone. An old patient at d’Youville Pavilion told me, about eight years ago, “I don’t get out anymore so I go in!” Since then, that has been my secret and I am willing to share it with everyone.

My biggest and happiest surprise has been: “How spacious “in” can be!

Try it and find out for yourselves.

Kenn Rancourt
Chaplain

 

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Fourth Sunday of Easter

April 27th, 2012

Sunday, April 29, 2012 

(Good Shepherd Sunday)

Acts 4:8-12 1             John 3:1-2           John 10:11-13

The Acts of the Apostlestell us the many ways in which the disciples witnessed their faith in Jesus and how the number of Christians grew in those early years. In this particular excerpt, Peter tells the people that a man was healed in Jesus’ name, the very Jesus whom they had rejected had become the cornerstone of our faith. This short passage touched me in two ways. I found myself asking the questions: Do I turn to Jesus whenever I need healing of my mind, my feelings or my body? Is Jesus the cornerstone of my life, of my way of being with others?

In the first letter of John we are called God’s children. It asks what else shall we become in the future? It is the mystery of the unknown. How good am I at living with mystery, at living with questions and letting life unfold. Or do I always have every minute of my life planned, always wanting to be in control and having clear answers to everything? Might this be something to ponder in my quiet moments?

The Gospel of John this week provides us with a metaphor of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In this century and in this country we are not very familiar with shepherds. In Israel 2,000 years ago a real shepherd was absolutely responsible for his sheep 24/7. The sheep became his friends and companions on the hillside. A real shepherd cared and nurtured his sheep and protected them from robbers and wild animals. It was natural that he not only risk his life for his flock but even lay down his life for the sheep. He knew them and they knew him, recognizing his voice. This type of shepherd had a calling; he had been born to the task. On the other hand, a false shepherd came into the job, not as a calling, but as a means of making money. He had no sense of real caring and of the responsibility of his task; he was only a hireling. If wolves or robbers came, the hireling would run away to save his own life. Jesus is indeed our Good Shepherd. He knows our name, watches over us and did, in fact, give his life for us.

Jesus’ point is that the person who works only for reward thinks chiefly of the money; the person who works for love thinks chiefly of the people he/she is trying to serve. How does this impact us who work in St. Mary’s Health System?

We do make a living and get wages for our work. However, do we also have that love in our heart that makes us kind, compassionate, gentle, respectful and helpful to our patients, residents, clients and colleagues? It is the question that Jesus asks us to ponder this week as we serve in his name.

Sr. Suzanne Beaudoin, SSCh
Director of Pastoral Care

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Third Sunday of Easter

April 19th, 2012

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Reflection for the Third Sunday of Easter

Acts of the Apostles 3:13-15, 17-19      First letter of Saint John 2:1-5a      Luke: 24:35-48

In the first reading, we are reminded that Jesus suffered and died for our sins and on the third day rose from the dead. How does that impact each one of us today in 2012? When we have sinned against God and another fellow human being, do we seek forgiveness? Do we truly repent? Do we choose to be converted to a better life? Amazingly we were given free will to choose to do all of these things. Being very human, we are all quick to point the finger at the other person, our churches, our place of work, our community who may have wronged us; but do we take a serious look at what part we may have played in a situation? It is important that we take a personal inventory at the end of each day, and seek forgiveness whenever possible. Then we need to let it go. God forgives us and lets it go.

In the second reading, St. John says “The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his commandments.” In following the commandments, we seek to do what is morally and spiritually correct. As we live in relationship with one another and all those we encounter daily here at St. Mary’s and D’Youville Pavilion, do we follow the commandments? John goes on to say, “But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him.” If we love someone, we want what is best for them. The commandments provide guidance for us.

The Gospel reading reminds us that God is in our midst every day. Do we recognize him in our daily lives? If not, what prevents us from seeing him? Does fear, pain, sin, or doubt keep us from seeing God in our homes and workplace? God shares himself with us through the Breaking of the Bread at our liturgies. He also shows himself to us through every person we encounter. God is even present in the most challenging of situations. Are we open to him in those times? Are we witnesses to Him or do we choose to turn away from Him? Following the gospel was not meant to be easy. Each of us has a cross to bear. Along the way we may stumble and fall. Let us remember that God is there to carry us.

Bringing this home, in our work with our patients, residents, and with one another here at St. Mary’s/D’Youville Pavilion, can we bear witness to Jesus who died and rose from the dead? Can we forgive and ask for forgiveness of each other? Can we live out the Commandments? Can we love as God loves us?

Dan Doyon
Pastoral Care

 

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Second Sunday of Easter

April 12th, 2012

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Acts of Apostles 4:32-35 1              John 20-29             John 20: 19-31

Happy spring! The month of April has been referred to as, “God’s Comfort.” Surely the sun, balmy breezes and the show of flowers popping out of the ground create comfort physically, emotionally, and spiritually after the cold of winter.

The lessons for this Sunday, often referred to as the Sunday of Divine Mercy, are filled with assurance that in spite of the horrific suffering of Jesus caused by mankind we have been witness to in the past weeks’ readings of the Lenten season, God is a patient, loving father who will never give up on us. Like any loving parent God invites us all, under any circumstances, to turn toward home. 

  • Entrance Antiphon: the prophet Esdras calls to us, :Receive the joy of your glory, giving thanks to God who has called you into the heavenly kingdom, alleluia.”
  • In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles we are given insight into the way in which the first Christians following the death and resurrection of Jesus lived.  “The community of believers was of one mind and heart, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they held everything in common. With great power they bore witness to the resurrection of Jesus and great respect was given them. There was no needy person among them!” All in the community sold their property and the proceeds came to the apostles, who distributed to each according to need. Imagine what our local communities would look like today if we, the modern day followers of Christ, could “muster up” such love and live thusly? No homeless, no hungry, no uneducated, no unloved.
  • The gospel for this Sunday is such a thrilling reminder of the gentleness and compassion of Jesus for the “timid” among us. John relates the story of Jesus’ visit to a room where the apostles were hiding behind locked doors for fear of their enemies . Locked doors are no challenge to God! “Peace be to you!” Jesus declares as he walks through. Showing them his scarred hands and side, he breathed on them the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We who minister to God’s sick and poor, receive the gifts of the Spirit as well … We only have to ask.

On a second visit to the same room, Thomas, who had not been present before, was in the room. He informed Jesus that he could/would not believe unless he put his hands into the wounds…Divine Mercy, God’s Comfort… Jesus could have rejected this doubting Thomas.

After all how much is a Redeemer supposed to tolerate? We may ask that question in connection to our own ministering. Guess what? No less than our Teacher! Jesus invites Thomas to place his hands in the wounds. Thomas as expected declares, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus comes back with a typical gentle but pointed reply, “OK, Thomas, seeing is believing. However, more blessed are those who have not seen, but have believed.”

That, my colleagues and friends on this journey, is us! Go well into God’s Comfort of Spring!

Elizabeth Lowe
Chaplain APC, BC

 

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Easter Sunday

April 6th, 2012

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Acts 10:33, 37-43      Col. 3:1-4      John 20:1-9

When I was a Catholic chaplain at Bates College, I started my Easter sermon by asking: “Do you think Jesus was surprised by His own resurrection?” This started a dialogue sermon, which I really welcomed. At that time, in the early 1970’s, the wording of the Apostles’ Creed was officially changed from “He rose from the dead” to “He was risen from the dead.” Jesus needed His Abba to raise Him from the dead. In reading further, I found no explanation for the fact that the stone in front of the tomb entrance was rolled away and the burial wrappings were neatly folded and placed where the body had been.

In my vivid imagination, I started to think: “If I had been just resurrected from the dead, I would want to linger in the tomb for a while to “take it all in.” After touching myself to make sure that I was really living, I, too, would have folded the burial cloths just to show that I was in charge of my new life. But the story gets better. Jesus’ followers are gathered in one room not knowing what to do next. Suddenly, through locked doors, Jesus is present in their midst. (He did this twice.) It’s like He was saying: “Hey fellas, look what I can do with my new body!”

When the disciples learned that Jesus was not in the tomb, it is not said that they were glad. In fact, they were concerned. They had abandoned Him to be executed. If He were alive again, what would He do? They were not sure and the unspoken fear was “pay back” and revenge! But on His first visit, Jesus said to every body: “Shalom Alecheim.” “ Peace be with you!” Whew! He was not upset at being abandoned, but He was happy to be alive. Jesus let them touch Him to feel that He was real. He had something to eat and they watched Him in amazement. “Ghosts do not have flesh and bones and ghosts do not eat! It is really me.”

Not long after, Jesus appeared to His disciples a second time; and yes, again through locked doors. (If I had died and been resurrected, I would tend to enjoy my new body too . . . not to show off, but just to enjoy it.) It must be really fun to enter rooms through locked doors and to be anyplace I want to be instantly! When we consider Jesus only as spiritual, we limit ourselves. Jesus was a real man with real human feelings and with a specific personality. He had a defined character. And He was a character!

The Gospels recall the third time the disciples interacted with Jesus after the resurrection. The “gang” decided to do some fishing. (When you don’t know what else to do, you usually do what you do best. So they went fishing.) After fishing all night, they were headed for shore. Jesus was already waiting for them. He had made a fire and was busy with a fish fry. As the boat approached the shore, Jesus yelled: “Any luck?” “No,” they answered. So like a true fisherman, Jesus yelled back “Try the net on the right side of the boat!” They did and the net was so full that the fishermen could not drag it into the boat. (Jn. 20) Someone said: “Whoa! It’s the Lord!” They hurried on to the shore and Jesus said: “Bring some of the fish you just caught. I’ve got bread and a fire already going. Let’s eat!” Jesus must have enjoyed feeding His friends. Just because He was risen from the dead, Jesus did not lose His humanity.

Jesus is alive and well. He lives on and on with His Abba. He is the first among many. The Easter story is very down to earth, but for us it’s “previews of coming attractions!” When we are sick, when we die, it is the first step to a resurrection adventure. I don’t know how people who don’t have that kind of faith can cope with all the suffering and dying that we are destined for. My faith tells me that dying is just the beginning and not the end.

Happy Easter!

Kenn Rancourt
Chaplain

 

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Palm Sunday

March 30th, 2012

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Palm Sunday also called Passion Sunday

Mark 11:1-10 Isaiah 50:4-7 Philippians 2:6-11 Mark 14:115:47

The Liturgy on this day begins the most sacred week of the year and features two themes. The first is the commemoration of the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem in Mark 11. It is picturesque, a triumphal entrance of the Messiah as the Son of David into Jerusalem, on a donkey with a small crowd of people spreading their cloaks and others spreading palms on the ground before Jesus or waving the palms and crying out: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Our little children would call it a “parade for Jesus.” Even people who are not regular churchgoers often do come on Palm Sunday to get blessed palms, a traditional sacramental that many keep in their homes all year.

The second theme is the Passion of the Lord. Both the Old Testament reading and the New Testament Epistle speak of the sufferings and death of Jesus. They speak of the obedience, the humility and the silence of Jesus while he is beaten and tortured…all this because God loves us and wants us to be saved. The Gospel reading that then follows is the Passion of Jesus according to Mark. I’ve often thought: why read the Passion today since we will be reading the Passion according to John on Good Friday. For many people this is the only time they will hear the reading of the Passion. Many will not be there on Good Friday and might never open a Bible on their own. It is also important to set the tone for this holiest of weeks. There can be no Resurrection to celebrate at Easter without first the Passion and Death of Jesus.

It can be very helpful for each of us to get in touch during Holy Week with the sufferings and death of Jesus. Our lives don’t often come close to that much suffering, and yet, when we are suffering, emotionally or physically, it is good for us to know that Jesus suffered before us, that Jesus understands what we are going through and that He is with us through it. Recently someone who had been through several years of great suffering asked me if God had forgotten him. Because he had just shared his painful story, I assured him God had been with him and even pointed out some of the ways God had helped him, through the people He had put on his path. God doesn’t leave us nor forget us. Often it is we who leave God or turn the other way and forget God…

During this Holy Week, I urge us to get in touch with the events of that first Holy Week: the Last Supper with his friends, the Washing of the Feet, the Agony in the Garden, the Passion and Death. All of these may challenge and touch some aspect of our own life or help us to be kinder and more compassionate to our patients, residents and clients who are suffering in so many different ways. Then, we might all have a better and deeper grasp of the meaning of Easter which is new life and victory over evil.

 

Sr. Suzanne Beaudoin, SSCh
Director of Pastoral Care

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Fifth Sunday of Lent

March 22nd, 2012

Sunday, March 25, 2012

First reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Second reading: Hebrews 5:7-9

Gospel: John 12:20-33

Our Lenten journey is almost complete; Holy Week begins next Sunday. The readings for this fifth Sunday of Lent speak to us of a new covenant with God:

I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts;

I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31)

What a beautiful image-a covenant (a promise) inscribed on our hearts.

St. Mary’s is part of “Covenant” Health Systems. We are part of that promise as well. A promise of love and healing from God. This Sunday, March 25th, is also the feast of the Annunciation, the day that the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to a son who would bring light to the darkness and heal the world. (My grandmother had a sister named “Annunziata”-they called her Nancy for short. I learned that in Italian families where all the children were girls, they sometimes named a baby “Annunziata” in hopes that the next child would be a boy. To my knowledge, my grandmother only had female siblings!) Mary’s “yes” to God’s plan allowed for God not only to be in relationship with us, but to become flesh. And as we celebrate the fifth Sunday of Lent, we know from readings of the previous weeks that Jesus’ preaching and healing caused conflict and threatened those with power. And that ultimately Jesus chose love and healing even in the face of death.

Sr. Juliana Casey, writing for the Catholic Health Association notes, “Those in Catholic health care ministry know about such healing. They encounter it very day. How deeply will we enter into the suffering of those we serve in order to heal? Where can we find the funds to continue this work? And what of those who mistrust us, who consider us foolish? What of those who want things to stay as they have been? Whose position trumps compassion?” These questions are very timely for us as we struggle with greater and greater economic pressures and increased demands for how we spend our time and resources.

St. Marguerite d’Youville also faced similar pressures in her day-she got in trouble for caring for “too many” poor women and some days she wasn’t sure how bills would be paid for the hospital in Montreal. Through it all, she trusted in “Divine Providence”, the belief that God would provide for their needs. It wasn’t that she sat back and waited for God to take care of everything; instead she continued forward, doing the right thing, trusting that God would be faithful to God’ s promise.

We can trust in that same promise. The Scripture passages we heard this Lent reveal that life and healing can come from very unexpected places and people. Look for some of those places and people in your encounters this week. They will remind you of the ways God can work even in the midst of difficult situations!

Elizabeth Keene
Mission Integration

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Fourth Sunday of Lent

March 16th, 2012

Sunday, March 18, 2012

 1Samuel 16; 1.6-7, 10-13 Psalm 23       St. Paul to Ephesians 5:8-41        John 9: 1-41 

Today’s readings are a delight to ponder because there is nothing hidden, nothing to wonder about, and nothing to confuse the meaning. Like our new daylight ushering in spring time, the readings speak to us of light, the light we get from our own intuition, from our willingness to seek and do God’s will in our lives and the light we get from our search for truth.

In the Hebrew Testament, Samuel the prophet is asked by God to go out to the city of Bethlehem in search of the home of Jesse for it is time to anoint a new king to rule over Israel. Samuel is happy and even anxious to do God’s bidding. He arrives at the place where Jesse is and in his zeal to please God he makes the assumption that Eliab, the first son who is tall and handsome must be God’s choice.

God’s inspiration strikes Samuel’s heart and he hears, “Do not judge from appearance as man does. I your Lord, look into the heart. This man is not my choice.” Samuel takes a breath and tunes into the voice of God rather than into his own ego. Jesse presents seven more of his sons, but Samuel announces,” the Lord has not chosen any one of these.” Samuel asks the confused father, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is the youngest out tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him.” The youth appeared, tanned and sweaty from hard work. Samuel heard the whisper of assurance from God. “There, anoint him for he is the one.” Samuel anointed David, the youngest son of Jesse with holy oil in the presence his brothers. This was an honor in Hebrew tradition that customarily went to an elder son.

David is the author of so many beautiful psalms.  Psalm 23 is perhaps his best known. I urge you to read this for your own reflection and see how it speaks to you.

This occasion for Samuel was a further lesson in discernment. We too can listen to the still small voice inside and with practice become more insightful in knowing God’s will for our own lives. This gift will grow and bless the lives of those we touch as well.

Moments of inspiration, insight, the AHA…moments in life are light bulbs from the heart of God often pointing the way out of darkness and confusion. St. Paul in his letter urges his followers then and would urge us now to grasp onto those lights and trust that God through Jesus will make all visible if we trust.  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of life.”

The Gospel today is true to form in that it highlights the lessons reflected above. Jesus is a great teacher because he always shows us an example in his own life of what he is attempting to teach us.

Jesus was going among the people teaching. He passed a man blind from birth. The disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents?” Jesus answered, “Neither. This is so the works of God may be made visible through him.” Jesus makes a paste of saliva and earth and daubs it on the eyes of the blind man. The Pharisees then accuse him of breaking the law that forbids work on the Sabbath. They have already condemned the blind man as a sinner because he is blind.

As we all go about our ministries to God’s marginalized people, we will see similarities between our own experiences and those of Jesus. We will meet blindness that knows it cannot see and blindness that thinks it can. Like Jesus, we can help the former; for the latter we can only pray.

Follow the Leader … and Keep the Light On!

Elizabeth Lowe
Chaplain

 

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