Monday – 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel – Mark 2:18-22

Celebrate!

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Today’s the day!  A special day!  A day worth celebrating!  Our grandson Tyler begins his last semester at University of Tennessee, graduation in May!  And our other grandson Nate begins his first semester at University of Tennessee, heading for a degree in Horticulture/Plant Science!  After all this family has gone through these past 6 years – Covid, loss of friends and family, separation, illness (one after another), selling/finding new home, moving to new life/new state) and new beginnings.  In spite of all that, despite the state of the world today, this is a day to celebrate!!  OK, actually the first day of school is tomorrow but, what the heck, we’re celebrating early!!

In today’s Gospel, the people are complaining to Jesus – why aren’t your disciples fasting and atoning for sin?  That is when Jesus sets them straight!  God is not so much a vengeful God; He is a God of Love.  He is our Father and that is a cause for celebration and joy, not sadness and fear. Just like a wedding feast!  Weddings and wedding receptions are time to set aside fasting; they are moments of hope and promise, of a love professed and a bond unshakeable. The bridegroom is here!  Celebrate!

Does that mean that there won’t be times of trial and upset?  Of course not!  But what sustains us are those moments of joy, however short they may be! They give us hope and remind us of the love of family and friends!   And so it is with our relationship with God.  There are moments of great celebration and joy; there are moments of doubt and upset.  But through it all, it is God’s love that is constant and eternal. 

So in spite of all the hardships and sacrifices we may be experiencing these days, let’s not forget to spread a little joy as well.  God loves us!  And that is cause for celebration!

 


 

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