Good morning. Today in reflecting upon the
Gospel reading from the Book of Matthew I was reminded how as parents we sometimes make an effort to take a time-out from the hectic pace and demands of running a household or from our jobs away from home. There is far more going on in today’s Gospel but the opening words reminded me of times where no matter the best laid plans for a quiet moment children sometimes fail to get the memo. “On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him…” I can just picture this scene from the life of Jesus. His heading out from the house where He was staying in Capernaum and strolling down to the sea for a little bit of reading and quiet meditation and the people just start popping up, and much like a parent with their children He drops what He is doing and proceeds to direct His attention to their needs. “…he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables…” Much as I imagine Jesus setting aside His plans for a quiet moment for Himself to respond to the needs of others, we too as parents are called to provide a sincere gift of self. As parents we are called upon to put aside our own wants and needs to attend to the wants and needs of our children. In doing so we provide a teaching moment of self-giving love to our children, and as Blessed Pope John Paul II, in his 1994
Letter to Families, notes we help prepare our children for building a civilization of love. Give a moment for someone you love today. Make a great day!
Today we recall the good life, gifts, and works of
Saint Margaret of Antioch. She is the Patroness of Childbirth—a true gift of self.
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