+ In the first reading for Mass today from Paul’s Letter to the
Philippians he tells them that once one comes to a better,
more truthful perspective and insight into something – then one is bound to
grab onto it, to investigate it, and to apply it to one’s life of service to
others. This after all is what the heart knows is the purpose of human life: to love and serve others, as we have been
loved and served by God. This too is a lifelong learning task for us.
Paul says that his whole
earlier life as a zealous Jew, even an overzealous one – persecuting the
Christians as he did – once the higher calling and insight was presented he
went for it with all his might, with all his being and with all his heart: everything else became loss, he says.
In the gospel passage the
finding of the lost sheep and the lost coin, sparks a flame of rejoicing and
merry-making because we know deep inside, when the lost is found, there is an innate
sense of relief and the celebration: and we also have an innate evangelical
sense that we need to call in our friends and not celebrate just alone,
Whether we find ourselves as
the one who loses something today or are witness to someone else finding
something of value – we need to actively, in the presence of others, celebrate
the grace that made the finding possible: there are no coincidences. Grace
loves to increase in a party with others.
Let us not forget that at each
Mass we attend, or prayer time that we engage in at home or on the road, it is
a chance for God to find us, if we seem lost to ourselves or others, and for us
to look around and try to find another who might need our help in being found
by God – maybe through us.
This
is the day the Lord has made, it is full of surprises and
opportunities to put our love and our faith into action, either energized by
reception of Holy Communion if that is possible, or in making any number of
Spiritual Communions – moments set aside to “let God find us adoring him,
praising him, thanking him, and asking for help in matters great and small” –
then our light will shine today – and when our head hits the pillow tonight we
will quickly drift off into an experience of deep restful sleep – with angels
watching by our side!
Amen.
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