“Come, you who are blessed by My Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, a stranger and you welcomed Me, naked and you clothed Me, ill and you cared for Me, in prison and you visited Me.”
I hope and pray that your Thanksgiving feast was filled with joy, peace and love! If you were the host, you literally lived the gospel we hear this weekend. I took this photo last week as our kids celebrated their Thanksgiving feast in the school. Amidst the organized chaos of serving a great number of youth, we experienced joy, excitement and love. Take a look back at your Thanksgiving gathering this year. Was it a similar experience? Did you experience unity and love? Or did you experience discord?
Not all family encounters are filled with joy. That is why around this time of year, I like to pray Eucharistic Prayer II for Reconciliation. I love the line: “Holy Father, we humbly beseech You to accept us also, together with Your Son, and in this saving banquet graciously to endow us with His very Spirit, who takes away everything that estranges us from one another. May He make Your Church a sign of unity and an instrument of Your peace among all people…” Do you believe that the power of the Holy Spirit can take away everything that estranges us from one another? God can do this in your life! Sometimes it is simply praying, “Come, Holy Spirit.” While we are in the midst of all the holiday gatherings, thank the Lord for all the goodness and peace your family brings. And in those areas that might be divided, pray “Come, Holy Spirit” and give God permission to be an instrument of peace among your family. He is the King of our lives after all!
Peace and blessings to your family,
Fr. Jeremy
P.S. Don’t forget to partake in the different prayer opportunities coming to this blessed parish beginning in Advent. Thank you!