Week 124
Positive post Sunday, June 30, 2019- Week 124.
Michele and I started a tradition of attending a daily Mass at a local church whenever we travel (and of course Sunday Mass if we’re there on Sunday). This past week, I attended a leadership forum in Newport; Newport, Rhode Island, not to be confused with Newport, California:), and I was blessed to have Michele join me on this trip. We kept our tradition of finding the local Catholic church and attending a Mass, attending Friday morning Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, founded in 1828 in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island. This church is stunning and rich in history. It’s the church where John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married on September 12, 1953.
Attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist at St. Mary’s, a masterfully architected church with the finest of details, was an amazing and spiritual experience. And, as you’ll see below, the good Lord had a reason for me to attend Mass Friday.
Have you ever been to Mass and felt like God was talking directly to you through the priest? Well, that’s exactly how I felt while attending this Mass all the way across the country. Fr. Kris began Mass by informing us that the theme of the Mass and focus of the readings was about the importance of shepherding our flock. The first reading was Ezekiel 34:11-16 which begins with, “For the Lord Yahweh says this: Look, I myself shall take care of my flock and look after it.” The Gospel was Luke 15:3-7 which begins with, “So he told them this parable: Which one of you with a hundred sheep, if he lost one, would fail to leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the missing one till he found it?” Here’s the link to full readings for Friday, June 28th, https://www.catholic.org/bible/daily_reading/?select_date=2019-06-28
Those that know me and my family well know that this Mass and the readings really hit home in many and deep ways. I’m incredibly proud of the flock the good Lord has blessed Michele and I with, and of how hard we have worked to shepherd them ALL toward a life of faith and service. Although painful to discuss, yet important to acknowledge, we have one sheep who has strayed from our flock and it has been heartbreaking and created a void in our lives.
With the prayers and support of our family and closest friends, we will continue to seek ways to shepherd our lost sheep back to our flock. I pray every day that, with our help and encouragement, she will return to her faith which will give her the foundation and strength to get well and find the path back to our flock, a flock that is not complete without her.
Thank you Lord, for speaking to me through Father Kris and regrounding me on my responsibility as the shepherd of my family. You always know the right time to send us a sign, we just need to open our hearts and accept it. I hear you Lord. Your humble servant is listening. I will stay the course and continue to go after our missing sheep until she’s reunited with our flock.
I recognize that the outcomes are not always what we want here on earth, but I believe that how we handle the tough times in our lives determines our worthiness to share everlasting life with you.
How are you shepherding your flock? Are you listening to the signs God is sending you?