Tonight, as ill as I feel with this horrible cold, Marilyn and I, along with Alicia and Lorenzo and Lily (of course!) went to a college basketball game. It was CAL vs UOP. Normally, I'm not into basketball but a game between my daughter's alma mater and the university that is a block away from my house (and a basketball powerhouse to boot) was too good to pass up. I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have without the hacking, sneezing, runny nose, and headache but CAL beat the pants off of UOP. Any win for CAL is good for my family.
We were in our seats when a couple came in to grab the two seat next to me. They looked vaguely familiar but I didn't say anything. Marilyn had gone to the snack bar. When she returned, the lady sitting next to me recognized her right off! I told Marilyn that she doesn't change much--she's as pretty as the day I met her and people will recognize her well into her 90's!
Anyway, it turns out to be my brother Tom's best friends after he started living with Mom--Dave and Teri! Teri was actually the best friend of Tom's wife Dottie long before she met Tom. In fact, I hired Dottie and both of her friends (named Terry and Teri) many years ago when I ran a fast food joint. It was at the fast food restaurant that Tom and Dottie met. It was nice to finally recognize Dave and Teri and talk with them a bit tonight.
I guess it was one of God's ways to help me remember that there are still some very good, caring people out there.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Mysteries of Light
Isaiah 41:13-20
Psalm 145:1 and 9, 10-11, 12-13ab
Matthew 11:11-15
We all need to hear the words “I love you”. There are some people though who cheapen the words ”I love you”, by their actions. They might say the words just after they beat someone up, as we’ve seen in the news lately. Or the words can be used as a bribe for favors desired.
Love is cheapened by advertisements. For example thinking that love is when you take someone on a cruise or buy them a car or jewelry and expecting that to say “I love you” while expecting some sort of reward or reciprocation, usually a compromise to chastity.
Moms and Dads who drive their children to this game, that play, tonight’s party, or tomorrow’s recital are showing their love. Simply staying at home and sharing one another’s company without any words says “I love you” in as strong a way than anything else. Caregivers doing household chores for elderly are showing their love. Teachers patiently waiting for students (no matter what age) to “get it” are showing their love. We get so used to people caring for us in small and big ways yet we don’t think often, “he’s loving me”, or “she really loves me”.
God is constantly showing us love through others. God listens to our cries for “HELP”, and someone shows up to help. Of course, we have to ask Him…and we have to be open to see and hear His answers. They come in so many ways and faces.
Remember Jesus said, “ask and you shall receive”. God wants us to ask for help. We need to ask for help. We can’t do all of life alone, especially the big sorrows that come our way. The challenge is to hear HOW God is helping us. It is sometimes difficult to hear another’s words of love in deeds, as St. Ignatius suggests when he says, “Love ought to show itself in deeds more than in words.”
Pray to be open to hearing and seeing and feeling God’s love for you now.
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