Today, the Twenty-Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time, we hear of banquets and feasting, weddings and rich foods, choice wines, and God’s promise to take care of all our fears and needs. I think that these readings are something that we need to hear—to be reassured by them and reminded of God’s grace—in the midst of this pandemic deprivation. We have been living without many things we love in order to keep each other safe: gatherings for many family events (happy or sad); or live music/theater/dance/films—lots of things that we considered “normal” to attend before Covid, and maybe didn’t appreciate… (The song says: You never know what you got ‘til it’s gone…)
Today we are reminded that we still have the opportunity for essential nourishment in our lives with the Word of God, the bread=body of Christ, and the body=the people of Christ (us); and yet many of us still experience times when there is just no more left in us due to pandemic fatigue. We may feel that we have nothing to give, nothing left to feel, just nothing left. We are running on empty and there is no more gas in the tank. But I say: when we feel our tank is empty, then it is because we have forgotten from where the gift of “go” and all other good gifts come!
St. Paul writes “I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.” He points out that strength and sustenance come from the Lord, and we are all invited to the heavenly banquet. The Prophet Isaiah says “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples…wipe away the tears from every face…let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” We believers really have no need to ever feel that we are running on empty—even as we miss the things and the ways of life from “before.”
I have written in past articles about creating a “new” normal in the future: one in which we more consistently examen our consciences about our society (for mercy and justice), our actions and our commitments and priorities for a better normal. We might begin by first simply remembering that there is a never-ending supply of God’s grace and compassion for us—truly a model for us, as His believers.
We can/must be “fueled” by the Body of Christ in the families around us: our personal families, our parish families, our larger Communities as we keep busy and safe as work and play and school begin again. As believers we must stop, take stock, reconcile our lives and ‘fill up’ on prayer and praise and thanksgiving—even as we sometimes feel deprivation and sadness. It’s all about re-focusing ourselves with what can/may be done in spite of the virus.
Our lives are relational. We are able to keep each other safe with the pandemic recommendations given by our experts, our Archbishop and our Pastor—because, yea!—some of our groups may actually begin to gather, carefully, Our tombstones won’t list our jobs or stuff; they list our relationships! Because in our relationships is we are fed; where we are lifted up. A door closes, a window opens. Parting and separation feel like death; but just remember God will wipe away all tears. Our Lord reminds us in the Twenty-third Psalm today that our ‘tank’ will be full; our cup shall run over and we will always be refreshed in our faith and love. Keep up your hope, keep safe, and
Keep singing in your hearts!
Elizabeth Dyc
Just a Note: I received this from a friend and wanted to share—as it reminds me of the Prayer of St. Francis (we just celebrated his Feast Day).
The more you give, The more you get,
The more you laugh, The less you fret,
The more you do unselfishly, The more you live abundantly,
The more of everything you share, The more you'll always have to spare,
The more you love, The more you'll find That life is good, And friends are kind,
For only what we give away enriches us from day to day.
Also: “I Will Arise” this music is traditional, arranged by Robert Shaw. Another offering from my son, Elliott’s professional choir—something needed in the “now.” https://youtu.be/M0vo43hu_HQ
Today we are reminded that we still have the opportunity for essential nourishment in our lives with the Word of God, the bread=body of Christ, and the body=the people of Christ (us); and yet many of us still experience times when there is just no more left in us due to pandemic fatigue. We may feel that we have nothing to give, nothing left to feel, just nothing left. We are running on empty and there is no more gas in the tank. But I say: when we feel our tank is empty, then it is because we have forgotten from where the gift of “go” and all other good gifts come!
St. Paul writes “I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.” He points out that strength and sustenance come from the Lord, and we are all invited to the heavenly banquet. The Prophet Isaiah says “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples…wipe away the tears from every face…let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” We believers really have no need to ever feel that we are running on empty—even as we miss the things and the ways of life from “before.”
I have written in past articles about creating a “new” normal in the future: one in which we more consistently examen our consciences about our society (for mercy and justice), our actions and our commitments and priorities for a better normal. We might begin by first simply remembering that there is a never-ending supply of God’s grace and compassion for us—truly a model for us, as His believers.
We can/must be “fueled” by the Body of Christ in the families around us: our personal families, our parish families, our larger Communities as we keep busy and safe as work and play and school begin again. As believers we must stop, take stock, reconcile our lives and ‘fill up’ on prayer and praise and thanksgiving—even as we sometimes feel deprivation and sadness. It’s all about re-focusing ourselves with what can/may be done in spite of the virus.
Our lives are relational. We are able to keep each other safe with the pandemic recommendations given by our experts, our Archbishop and our Pastor—because, yea!—some of our groups may actually begin to gather, carefully, Our tombstones won’t list our jobs or stuff; they list our relationships! Because in our relationships is we are fed; where we are lifted up. A door closes, a window opens. Parting and separation feel like death; but just remember God will wipe away all tears. Our Lord reminds us in the Twenty-third Psalm today that our ‘tank’ will be full; our cup shall run over and we will always be refreshed in our faith and love. Keep up your hope, keep safe, and
Keep singing in your hearts!
Elizabeth Dyc
Just a Note: I received this from a friend and wanted to share—as it reminds me of the Prayer of St. Francis (we just celebrated his Feast Day).
The more you give, The more you get,
The more you laugh, The less you fret,
The more you do unselfishly, The more you live abundantly,
The more of everything you share, The more you'll always have to spare,
The more you love, The more you'll find That life is good, And friends are kind,
For only what we give away enriches us from day to day.
Also: “I Will Arise” this music is traditional, arranged by Robert Shaw. Another offering from my son, Elliott’s professional choir—something needed in the “now.” https://youtu.be/M0vo43hu_HQ
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