Sunday, April 28, 2024 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Many of you may be familiar with David Brooks, who writes columns for The New York Times and a commentator on the PBS New Hour and other media outlets. During an interview regarding his column writing, he admitted his greatest nightmare was approaching a column deadline with no idea what he wanted to write. He is contracted with the Times for two to three columns per week. I must confess, as I was approaching my own deadline for this bulletin reflection, I was in a “cold sweat” regarding my offering for this week.
For this week, I decided to reflect on my perception of the state of our parish. Looking back from the day of this writing, we have had good days. We had good meetings with the Finance Council and the Pastoral Council. Financially we are in good shape and our parish projects and repairs are progressing well, if not completed. We had successful events as the listening session regarding Synod On Synodality ; we have many in the parish who are interested in Marianist Spirituality and planned to attend yesterday’s gathering with Brother David Betz; and today we will have our Brunch N’ Learn—a new event which has been successful. And as you know we are planning our St. Francis de Sales Celebration & Tower Dedication on June 23. Yes, the good stuff is happening at the corner of Madison Road and Woodburn!!!
Often in our fast-paced society, we get caught in the trap of thinking we always need to be “doing and achieving”. It is the “what have you done for me lately” mentality instead viewing the larger long-term picture. Maybe for me now, and for us at many times, it is simply good to look at the total landscape, see how blessed we are and live in praise and thanksgiving for the many blessings given by a loving God. Our time of thanksgiving does not need to be narrowed down to one day of celebration in November. It can be and should be an ongoing mantra that utters from our inmost being as we consider how far we have come in our lives—how we have been blessed from childhood and how we have during our lifespan overcome hardships along the way which have made us more resilient, strong and courageous.
In this spirit of thanks and praise, we echo the words of this liturgical song from the 1970s by Bob Dufford, S.J. and John Foley, S.J.
Praise God, praise Him, Praise God in the highest. Praise God, praise Him, praise the name of our God.
Give thanks to the Lord. His mercy endures forever more. Give thanks to the God of our creation.
The heavens declare it: the glory of God upon the earth to people of ev’ry race and nation.
Shadows and sunlight, dew from the morning air, all that is Yours, You love, O Lord of life.