16th sunday in ordinary time

It is so very good to see more and more of our parish family returning in person to the celebration of Mass.  This is great cause to rejoice and offer prayers of thanksgiving.  Not to jump the gun on the celebration of thanksgiving as time goes by fast enough on its own, recently I have been thinking more and more about the need to offer prayers of thanksgiving.  This sounds nice, yet so many times it is over looked.  How important it is, at the end of day, along with an examination of conscience, to simply count our blessings.  To list off ten things that I am thankful for.  The simple idea of opening my heart to God in thanksgiving has the power to transform my life and remind myself, ourselves, that we are truly blessed.  If there is something weighing on our heart, the blessings outweigh that something.
 
In our Gospel from Mark 6:30-34 this Sunday, Jesus reminds us of the need to pause, to take a break from the routine, and to enter more fully in placing ourselves in the presence of the Lord.  Some spiritual authors have referred to this “pause that refreshes” or as I learned in the seminary “living in the present moment.”  By placing ourselves in the presence of our Lord and turning to our Lord in prayer, we have the opportunity to encounter our Lord, to pause, and to simply allow the love of Christ to pour over us.  Counting our blessings is just one example.
 
As more and more things begin to open up, may we always be people of thanksgiving, taking the time to pause, and allow our Lord to refresh us.
 
May God continue to bless each of you and those that you love, and I look forward to you joining me for the celebration of Mass this weekend.
 
Fr. Greg