Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula

Good morning. Love gives. It doesn't take. The message from today’s Gospel is that Jesus came not for the well but rather for those who are sick and need to be healed. That must include me. It includes all of us. Jesus came for each of us and He offers Himself to everyone; we need only ask. His love is easy to achieve—it is there for the asking. Despite this greatest love freely given to each one of us, our brokenness often causes His love to elude us. Despite His being there for our asking some look for more, we look for more assurance of the love He offers us simply for the asking. We likewise do this with each other, despite assurances that love is there for the asking, we sometimes fail to accept the love freely given by others. We often see this in marriage. Despite the love which is freely offered we sometimes look for more signs, more certainty that it is real. 

In marriage we offer ourselves to each other and promise our love and acceptance of one another completely for the remainder of our days. Yet, how often do we find ourselves looking for other signs or more assurance? We need look no further than in each other for it is in ourselves and in each other that we come to know and appreciate the greatest love of all. It is not outside ourselves or anything that just happens to a couple as portrayed in books and movies, but rather it is a choice we make and it is forever evolving. We truly love knowing that our other will disappoint us. Today we celebrate the life of our Blessed Mother, she along with all the saints gives witness to self-giving; this type of love we are all called to. The love which Jesus calls us to goes beyond the simplicity of being kind, sweet and gallant, it calls us to a higher level than the feel-good romantic notion portrayed in Disney. 

Jesus came not for the well but rather for those who are sick and need to be healed. Yes, none of us are perfect, we all shall continue to disappoint, but He loves us knowing this. We are called to do the same. We are called in each new day to renew this gift of love. What gifts have we to give today? Make a great day! 

Today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula.