NAMING GRACE IN THE DOMESTIC CHURCH
  • Home
  • About Naming Grace
  • Message
  • Favorites
  • Events & Videos
  • Contact

February 28th, 2017

2/28/2017

Comments

 
Comments

God will never, ever, forget you!

2/26/2017

Comments

 
Picture
Comments

I Will Never Forget You!

2/26/2017

Comments

 
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022617.cfm

I panicked while driving down Ansborough Ave. It was 3:30 p.m. and I had told them I would be there at 2:00. The sky was already growing dark and I had forgotten to pick up Erik and his friend, who were ice fishing on a freezing cold day in January. For me, it was a hectic day with lots of distractions, and I had simply forgotten them. Thank God, seriously, thank God, the boys were safe and not frozen like icicles. Not a gold-star moment for this mom.
 
Truth be told, I have forgotten a daughter at a play rehearsal and a son at soccer practice. Though I love them completely, I have forgotten. My heart weeps for the mothers and fathers, who have accidentally left their babies in the car, usually with disastrous, deadly, results. They had forgotten their precious cargo in the midst of a busy day. As mothers and fathers, we are simply human. We forget.
 
In this Sunday’s readings, the prophet Isaiah questions: “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.” The Gospel reflects on God’s intimate presence as never forgetting us and always providing for our needs: “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” God never, ever, forgets us. Some theologians speculate that if God would forget—for even a moment—we would cease to exist.
 
Yet there are times we feel forgotten by the world—by God: fired from a job; diagnosed with a disease; betrayed by a loved one; a child addicted. We become heavy with worry and cry out, “Where are you God?” “Do you not care that I am hurting?” In these times, we must hold onto truth: God is mindful of us at every moment. God cares about the most intimate details of our lives. God provides our most basic needs.
 
Looking back on times when worry and anxiety have overwhelmed me, I realize I'm the one who had forgotten—God’s faithfulness. In those times, we are wise to rest in Him alone, and to remember God’s provision for each bird and wildflower. If we seek first the kingdom of God today, we need not fret about tomorrow.
 
We name grace by speaking the truth of God’s ever-mindful presence to our children: “Even when you feel alone, Jesus is with you.” “God is always close to you. He will never forget you, even when you feel lost.” “Don’t worry about tomorrow. Jesus is with you today.”
 
Though I have “forgotten” my children, the truth is I carry them with me always. Whether they are living in New York City, Baltimore, Cleveland, Omaha, Kansas City, or Minneapolis, they are right here, close to my heart. If I, one so human—so forgetful—so faithless—cares so deeply for each of my children, just imagine how much God, our Creator, our heavenly Father, cares for each of us


Recently, when thinking about one son’s needs, I prayed: “Please don’t forget him.” I then heard, “Mary, how could I forget him, when I died for him?” Indeed. Jesus died for each of us; He will never, ever, forget any one of us—not for even a moment. Now, that’s good news.
Comments

February 12th, 2017

2/12/2017

Comments

 
Comments

February 12th, 2017

2/12/2017

Comments

 
Picture
Comments
<<Previous

    Reflections

    The blog on this page presents reflections on the Sunday readings through the lens of a parent/grandparent, aiding leaders of the domestic church in their vital task as “first heralds” or “first preachers” of the Good News in the home.

    VIEW FAVORITES

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About Naming Grace
  • Message
  • Favorites
  • Events & Videos
  • Contact