Monday, April 16, 2018

Off In Your Boats...

The daily Gospel tells of those who were moved by Jesus'  miracle of the loaves and fishes, and took up to find him afterwards.   They took to their boats, and from both the location of the miracle and from Tiberias they set out to find him.  They did eventually find him in Capaernum.

These people remind me of our daily Mass regulars.  Instead of getting into their boats, they get up at half-past dark and drive to our parish church for the early Mass.  After awhile you get to know them by sight, if not by name.  

What these two groups of people have in common is a thirst for God.  Why else would they do what they don't have to do in order to find Jesus?  The difference between the two groups is that those in Capernaum had yet to experience the full revelation of God's plan of salvation.  The band of early Mass goers has.

Both however, have experienced being able to be closer to Christ. In their own ways they move closer and closer to Him.  When I talk about this with them, I urge them not to try to understand God, because it just won't happen.  Instead, I suggest they simply be still and listen.

In both cases, they experience the Eucharist. The people who were fed with the loaves and fishes got a preview.  The early morning Mass crew experience the whole gift.  In both cases, when the heart is open the urge is for more.

This blog is called "Under the Broom Tree" because of the story of Elijah under the broom tree in Kings 1:19.  My initial trip to the broom tree occured after the death of my children.  Since then, I visit frequently.  It seemed like now is a good time to return to the blog and its original purpose.  In the midst of suffering and sorrow we can find ourselves falling in love...for the first time, or once again...with God.  In the midst of what modern life offers us, sometimes we do need time at a place where all that stuff is checked at the door.   If this can be one of those places for you, fine.  Grab a seat.  The Broom Tree is big enough for many.

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