In the beginning when God created us human beings, He wanted a creature that would be free to choose what to do and how to act. In fact, this is what defines us as “persons”. We have reason and free will. These two qualities enable us to do what God most wanted – – to love. God wanted Lovers.
Also in the beginning . . . our freedom and will wanted to do what God wanted. To do God’s will was our happiness. We longed to act in accord with God’s wish for us. It came naturally. No big deal.
But then it happened. You know the story. In the Book of Genesis we have the mythic story of man’s origins (the Garden, the fruit, and the Tempter). There was a command from God who loved us. God had warned us NOT to partake of the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil. In our limited vision however, “it seemed good and pleasing” and eating it would make us like the God we loved. We disobeyed God’s will.
Something changed in that moment; something that would follow us throughout history. What came so naturally for us, what was so clear and apparent to our minds, was now clouded by things we’d never experienced before. Fear and the distance of God, alienation between man and woman, the Cain and Abel tragedy.
These were the consequences of acting contrary to the will of God. Perhaps most harmful was the fear and mistrust we developed for God. Now that the nearness of God disappeared, our finite freedom and reason started to see the world as “just us”. We lost sight of God’s plan for us. In fact God’s will had somehow become a threat to what we want. God became “The Law”. We experienced His will as a scourge or an unpleasant burden.
What we forgot was the fact that “God’s Will” is His love for us. We lost the innocence of a child . . . the ability to trust in the love God has for us. (“Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter the Kingdom of God” Mt. 18:3)
We see this wherever we go these days. Cultural slogans abound that tell us our happiness lies in total freedom to do whatever we think will bring us happiness. We become “independent operators” deciding for ourselves what is true. What do we hear? “You find your truth, I’ll find mine.” “If it feels good, it is good”. “I have a right to be happy.” “Nobody tells me what to do.”
The wonderful thing about our desire for happiness is that God gave it to us! He wants our happiness. BUT . . . God knows what that is. We don’t.
What is our happiness? “God made me to know Him, love Him, serve Him in this life and to be happy with Him in the next.” Baltimore Catechism. God is our happiness. To be full of God.
Would you like a recipe for happiness? Jesus gave us that in the Beatitudes (Mt. 5: 3-10). Be careful however, true happiness, God’s love, will come to those who suffer for the sake of the Kingdom. “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11.
Oh Lord, I don’t know what to want. I don’t know what you want for me. Give me your grace to see your plan and to want what your love wants for me. Amen.
Thy will be done.
Fr. Tim
One of the most debilitating things about sickness is the way it separates us from those around us. It may mean being confined to home or quarantined from those closest to us. It may mean being unable to participate in everyday activities that bring us together with others.
We have scheduled a Eucharistic Celebration with Anointing of the Sick on Saturday, October 16th at 10:00 am. This is the chance to bring your health concerns to the Lord in the context of mass and this faith community.
WHO SHOULD BE ANOINTED? The guidelines for the sacrament say, “any persistent and serious concern for one’s health…” is reason for someone to request the anointing. Health concerns such as depression, anxiety, addiction, spiritual doubt and chronic pain are all sufficient to receive the anointing. There will be no questions asked. Simply indicate your wish to be anointed.
Come and experience the healing and comforting Hand of God working through the Sacrament of the Sick and the care of this parish. We will observe all safe distancing, mask and sanitizing protocols.
However, if you are not ready to attend a Mass in person but wish to receive this sacrament, Fr. Tim will gladly come to your home to anoint you. Please call the Parish Office@ 265-1616 to make an appointment.
God bless you.
