Last week was one of those weeks for me to volunteer and worship. I received the grace of God in so many ways.
Last Thursday, May 17th, I volunteered at the School Book Fair. The Knights of Columbus sponsor the fair every year at this time. Summer reading for the long hot Florida summer for children who are fascinated by dinosaurs, history, and life. All proceeds of course go to the school library for next school year. Smiley faces eager for school to end and still hungry to learn. It is always a pleasure to be allowed to serve them.
Last Friday, my wife Anna and I attended a blessing ceremony at our home parish of Saint Paul’s in Saint Petersburg for three young men who were about to ordained priests the next day. Anna and I knew two of the three very well and had prayed for all of them. My pastor,Monsignor Robert Gibbons gave the homily. His three main points given to these now priests were these : [1] Pray. Not just public worship but private solitude type of prayer. [2] Service and sacrifice. Service he stated was not only when it is convenient but also when it is not convenient. Lastly [3] acceptance of God’s will in our lives in everything. The Monsignor’s listeners were the present bishop, our retired bishop, seminary students and seminary faculty, friends and relative and these three good men who became priests last Saturday.
My wife, Anna, made the most amazing reflection after the service. She said that Msgr Gibbon’s homily could be used for a wedding as well.
It is fitting that the Saint that we celebrate today, Saint Philip Neri, was a priest whose life revolved around all these virtues and did it all in a way that was humble and with a good humorous nature.
This got me to thinking about today’s Gospel Mark 10:15-16 “Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them,placing his hands on them.”
If we are to comply with the Amen that Jesus spoke of in today’s gospel, we need to become like children in that openness and genuineness of our emotions and spiritual life. If we are to become successful as priests, religious, married, and single people, we need to have that acceptance of the Kingdom of God all around us. We need to be honest with ourselves and spouses. We cannot keep a blind eye to sin in our lives or the world around us. As the good Monsignor said we need to pray, serve and accept God’s will in our lives.
My prayer is that Father Tim, Father Lou and Father Kyle and all of us become more like children in our spiritual lives. As the passage in Matthew says “Thy Kingdom, Thy will be done”. The child’s heart in all of us will lead us. Amen!
Happy Memorial Day Weekend !
God Bless
Bob Burford
Readings James 5:13-20; Psalm 141:1-2,3,8; Mark 10:13-16
