Gospel Reflections for May 21 2017
I know this person!
We are in our third day of our Parish Carnival and it has been great fun for thousands of people.
There is a big prize coming this Sunday evening when the $6000 raffle prize winner’s name is drawn. You can imagine that person’s joy!
The rides are spectacular, the food booths offer delicious meals, and the games are challenging and exciting. It is great to see so many people and families enjoying time together and supporting our wonderful parish event.
Of course, the biggest moment will be Sunday evening when the grand prize winner’s name will be drawn.
I remember years ago at another parish carnival when I was standing next to a person I did not know at all at the very moment the raffle ticket was drawn, and his name was announced. He let out a huge yell and started jumping up and down. He was so happy to win!
Before he walked up to the stage to collect his winnings I said to him, “Remember, I am your closest friend!” He and everyone nearby laughed at my feeble attempt to cash in on our new “friendship.”
If I had been his old friend, perhaps I might have enjoyed some generous gift, but, alas, I did not, so no luck there. One thing we all know for sure …we cannot make an “old friend” quickly. That only happens with the passage of time, and showing faithful friendship over many years.
This is the message of today’s Gospel. Jesus tells us how to grow our friendship with Him …keep His commandments every day and over many years. That is really not that hard. His commandments are even enjoyable. All we have to do is to love God, love others, and love our self. Every Sunday is a lesson on just how to do that. Sunday by Sunday we grow in friendship with Our Lord.
I hope everyone will enjoy this final day of our Carnival, and taste the delicious meals in our many food booths, try their luck at the games, and dare to ride the most exciting rides. I sincerely hope a deserving person wins the grand prize raffle of $6000 too. I am sure the winnings will be used well.
At 9pm on Sunday night the Carnival will end, but our life continues …as day by day we deepen our friendship with Our Lord …and win the prize of eternal life.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
I guess we are just lucky if we are standing right beside Jesus when His Kingdom comes. Maybe He will accept us as close friends.
My question is, “What rides did you go on?” I don’t know about you, but I find that the rides are getting wilder and wilder each year, and my physical condition is getting less and less tolerant to rapid acceleration changes each year. But the Carnival is an exciting pleasure even without rapid acceleration.
I am amazed that human beings can tolerate the G forces these Carnival rides generate. Then again, I realize that sometimes walking up stairs generate G forces that I am finding harder to tolerate!
Your allegories really help with understanding and retention of the concepts. Thank you!
You are welcome!
My rides are slow and easy, ferris wheel and merry-go-round, just like my friendship with Jesus over the years. No loud noises or fast moves, we have become more familiar with each other and hopefully he will welcome me to heaven like his long time friend.
Yes, and in heaven, all the rides are peaceful and wonderful!
Dear Father Dave, It is so heartwarming to experience your joy in the beauty of your new Parish! The lovely parishoners must love you for your precious love for our loving Jesus and how you radiate His love!!! We so miss you but we knowwe are part of your heart as you are part of our hearts!! What a beautiful life to journey with our Jesus to our Heaven of Love!! Love the precious concept of the most beautiful prize of all is our eternal life!!! I’m holding tightly with soooooooooooooooo much love our Jesus’ and our Mary’s hand every day!!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it and loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeee, Franca and dick
Thank you!