A Firm Foundation6/27/2024 Thursday of the 12th Week in OT
When I read the Gospel, what came to mind was the photo of a “house built on rock” that I had stayed in 12 years ago. Now that’s a house built on a rock! And, for sure, there’s a story behind my staying there. A friend and I had decided to take a trip up the coast of Maine to see its “rocky shores.” A search for places to stay led to the Samoset. After a harrowing trip of rain, wind and winding roads, we finally arrived only to be told that our reservations were not until the next day, and they were totally booked! Fortunately for me, I showed them the reservation confirmation, which, in fact, was for the day we arrived. After some fussing and fidgeting on their part, the manager told me that since it was their fault, they would give us the only place they had available for the price we were supposed to pay for simple accommodations. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the “Flume Cottage,” the house built on a rock that you see above. Whenever I hear Jesus speaking of a “sure thing” with the image of the house built on rock and not on sand, I think of how blessed I was to be gifted with a few days in this special place after a rocky start along the rocky shore. The Gospel is an invitation to make sure that Jesus is the firm foundation of our lives. This thought led me to think of the hymn that we sing often at Sunday liturgy. The lyrics are really beautiful and I invite you to pray with them today. I’m not sure if I had ever seen or sung the last stanza about us “gray hairs.” How firm a foundation, O saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent Word! What more can he say than to you he has said Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled? In ev'ry condition, in sickness, in health, In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth, At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea -- The Lord, the Almighty, your strength e'er shall be. Fear not, I am with you. Oh, be not dismayed, For I am your God and will still give you aid; I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. When through the deep waters I call you to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow, For I will be with you your troubles to bless And sanctify to you your deepest distress. Throughout all their lifetime my people shall prove My sov'reign, eternal, unchangeable love, And then, when gray hair shall their temples adorn, Like lambs they shall still on my shoulders be borne. I have to say that praying with these lyrics this morning brought me to tears. There are many reasons. It would be my mother’s 110 birthday today and it’s the 42nd wedding anniversary of my dear friends Carol and Brian Faherty. But I’m also aware of how much I need the consoling presence of Christ these days for a number of personal reasons. Today I head to the Berkshires for a wedding celebration. I hope to have time to continue these reflections while I’m there. The photo below is my mom, Dorothy Roggy Vereecke.
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Leave a Reply.AuthorAs an ordained Catholic priest for 45 years and a member of the Jesuits for 57 years, I've had a great deal of "spiritual" experience! This is a place where I can continue to share my thoughts about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and what it means to live the "mystery of God." Categories |
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