To watch Fr. Joe’s homily for the Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: CLICK HERE!
Maybe it is just part of human nature; but there is a tendency to not trust people. But the truth is, there are lots of good people who are doing their best. Who are doing God’s will as it pertains to them every day.
Says Jesus, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
No doubt it is easy to see the not so good around us. Read the papers, look at the email from Africa that says you have $17.5 million coming to you or the mail that says you could be a winner! One can understand the skepticism and cynicism that seems to grow in our lives.
Yet, I would suggest that Jesus is reminding us to open our eyes and minds and hearts in not only SEEING the good, the will of God being lived by others; but knowing how Jesus is reminding us of how important DOING anything that is great or small or in between that is done out of love, care, concern, affirmation and appreciation is a sign of God’s will being done then and there.
Jesus calls us to be family…
Recently at a Daily Mass, I mentioned that God our Father, like any parent, certainly smiles when we do the will of God.
The will of God that comes down to not only love of God, but love of one another…
How do we continue to live God’s will, not just yesterday, but today and every today?
This past week I had a medical procedure that was nothing serious; a medical procedure that goes with being older. (And even mentioning medical issues is a sure sign of being older!) Anyways, after all was over, I was so Impressed with all the medical staff from the receptionist, to the nurses, the anesthesiologist, the support staff and even the doctor.
I was so impressed, I felt that I had to write a note to thank them for their care, thoughtfulness, gentleness, assistance and professionalism. Or maybe it was just the unrequested warm blanket that the nurse got for me that impressed me…
Anyways, before I could write the letter, I received a phone call from the medical facility asking me if everything was OK. After responding that I was doing well, I shared with the person calling, “Please convey my thanks to everyone for their kindness and professionalism.” The response came back in a way that re-affirmed my letter to them when she said, “I will be sure to convey your appreciation to everyone.”
It takes a medical village for this facility to care for its patients. But care for them they do, and just maybe writing the letter was just one way that God’s will was done in affirming the goodness of others.
So what’s the point?
Look around for the good that people are doing in their lives, at homes, at work, in the community, in the parish, wherever… My guess is there is a lot more GOOD out their being done every day that we see or acknowledge by others, and even ourselves.
See the good, do the good, be the good that is the will of God today and everyday. And just maybe we will see and also contribute personally to a bit more of the Kingdom of God unfolding here on earth, as it is in Heaven, every day.