Saturday – 13th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel – Matthew 9:14-17

Celebrate!

Street Scene, Jerusalem

The Pharisees in today’s Gospel are complaining to Jesus that His disciples do not fast like any fine upstanding Jews.  Jesus’ reply is a reminder to us all that, even in the midst of fear and sadness, we should not avoid celebrating those times of joy, those moments in life that call for laughter and child-like wonder.

Happy (almost) 4th of July!  Are you happy?  Do you really feel like celebrating? Is your whole family gathering to celebrate like you’ve done in the past?  We are living in a time of divisive language and rhetoric, a time of unrest, sickness and fear, a time of dis-connectedness.  What the heck is there to celebrate? 

We lost a beloved member of our Kateri community this week.  Barbara was well known for her smile, her compassionate personality and most definitely her fry bread!  We also learned that our beloved senior elder, Susan Power, the oldest in our community, has been moved to hospice care.  Our hearts are saddened and empty as we feel the real loss of their presence in our daily lives.  But Jesus reminds us today that there are times when we NEED to celebrate, to remind ourselves of who we are and all that we have – friends, family, the gift of life and love, the beauty of nature granted by the Creator, the freedom to speak our mind and practice our faith, the simple gifts of food on the table and a place to lay our heads. 

Whether it’s a 72nd birthday on the 3rd (hint, hint) or the 246th birthday of our nation on the 4th or simply gathering with our families and celebrating their presence in our lives, don’t let the worries of the world stop you from celebrating!  If for no other reason, we all need a moment to smile, to appreciate our family and friends, to be grateful for the many gifts of the Creator.

Gitchi Manitou, keep us free today, free of fear and stress and sadness.  Bring joy to our hearts and gratitude to our souls.  Help us to celebrate the wisdom and example of our elders. Aho!

 

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