Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
I always find it interesting that many brides save their wedding gowns. Somewhere back in the closet or in the attic is a garment bag holding that precious dress that was so carefully chosen and fitted and worn on that special day when the vows were exchanged. Never mind that the groom’s attire was rented and would hopefully arrive on time, but that’s another story. The bride’s gown is by one woman for one special day in her life. There might be the hope that the daughter will also wear it on her special day, but there is no certainty that there will be a daughter, and there might even be the hope that she will elope! I suspect we all hold on to special things in our lives. Mementos that remind us of a special time, a particular person, a momentous event. We hold on to them, display them, we might even use them, but it must be for a specific event or cause for celebration.
I have discovered that over time, I have too much stuff! It sits around and collects more dust than memories, and after moving from one location to another, sometimes the new space is smaller, and there is no room for everything. If I am honest, the item, whatever it is, loses some of its meaning and so I can more easily let go of it, give it away. Perhaps sell it.
The one thing we must not lose is our faith. It is the little seed that we cherish and nurture all through our lives. This is the pearl of great price; it is the treasure in the field. We long to hold on to it. We deem it priceless and at the same time, not something we hide away, or display it on the mantle for fear it will break. The Word (Scripture) and Sacrament (especially Eucharist) must become so much of who we are as Christians, that when we are without it, we feel lost and forsaken. Jesus is the living word. Jesus is the bread of life. We rest in him.
Reflection by Fr. Martin DeMeulenaere, OSB
Posted in Daily Reflections