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2 Kings 2:1, 6-14
Matthew 6:16, 16-18
It was a glorious summer day. The sun shone brightly. The church sparkled.
I was anxious. I had prepared well. I wanted the people to be impressed. It was my first Sunday as the new pastor of the parish where I had belonged as a teenager.
I put on the beautiful emerald colored chasuble, which reached almost to my ankles, and thought, “This should impress them!”
The Mass went well. The people were attentive during the homily. The music was perfect. I was delighted by the smiles of the people as I processed out at the end of Mass.
Immediately parishioners were greeting me with warm wishes and congratulations. Everything had gone perfectly when, suddenly, a little girl exited the church and saw me in the sunlight. Her eyes widened, her jaw dropped, and as she ran to throw her arms around my knees she shouted for all the world to hear, “Kermit!”
That little girl was one of the most important theologians to enter my life! She taught me that it isn’t all about ME! God did not call me to be a priest to parade around in fancy clothes to impress people. He did not ordain me to ostentatiously reach out to the poor. God did not give me a nimble tongue so I could impress others. God is not pleased if I develop austere practices to show others how disciplined I am.
By our Baptism ALL of us are called and sent to perform righteous deeds because Jesus said: whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me (Matt 24:40). ALL of us are called and sent to pray, alone and with others, reverently, without drawing attention to ourselves, because Jesus taught: This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven… All of us are called to practice self discipline without fanfare and your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.
It’s not about ME! It’s not about US! It’s about GOD! It’s about how good, gracious, loving, and forgiving God is and how GOD wants to share all of that good, gracious, loving forgiveness with, and through, US! Thank God!
- Fr. John M. Lee, C.P., Retreat Director, “The Passionist Spiritual Center in New York City”, Bishop Molloy Retreat House, Jamaica, NY www.bishopmolloy.org
Thank you Father for this reflection! I am praying especially for my little Grandnephew,Samuel Harmon,6 years old,to have Heart valve surgery Thursday in Huntsville,Alabama. Interesting to hear the gospel for Ash Wednesday on the first day of Summer! God Bless! Next year,Cycle 1, June 19,2013. 11th Week Ordinary.
Hi Jerry,
We will remember little Samuel in our prayers and at Mass this week, especially on Thursday. Please keep us updated on his progress.
Blessings on your day from the Passionist Community!
this is my SPECIAL DAY……thank you God for another year of serving you through my family members…..thank you for all the persons who have greeted me and all the gifts that they gave me…….they are so precious than ever…..thank you God for giving me friends and a wonderful best friend who showers and sharing his laughter with me….giving me the BEST……GOD, you know that i love you so much and i care for all you have given me……and you know everything that i do from far away you are always there….thank you very very much…….I love you so much……