Saturday – 13th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel – Matthew 9:14-17

Celebrate!

Irish Singers at the Jaffa Gate

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, of troublesome weather and even more troubling times, we should not avoid celebrating those moments of joy, those moments in life that call for laughter and child-like wonder.

Happy 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 and fear, a time of high prices and even higher temperatures! What the heck is there to celebrate? 

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. 

Maybe this holiday is a different mind-set.  Maybe the heat and humidity prevent us from comfortably celebrating with our family and friends but we can celebrate their presence in our lives.  Whether it’s a 76th birthday on the 3rd (hint, hint) or the 250th birthday of our nation on the 4th, don’t let the worries of the world stop you from celebrating in some fashion!  If for no other reason, we all need a moment to smile, to appreciate our famiy and friends, to be grateful for the many gifts of the Creator.

Great Spirit, keep me free today, free of fear and stress and sadness.  Bring joy to my heart and gratitude to my soul.  Aho!

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