January 18, 2004
Dear Friends: Allow me to share with you a
reflection on today’s readings from "Celebrating the Word"
"As a young child coming home from
school with my brothers and sisters we had a routine that seldom varied. On
reaching our house we would rush to pull open the outside door, then scream for
the world to hear "Mommmm"…holding onto
that one word as if our life depended on it. If we didn’t get an immediate
response we would shout even louder the second time. We wanted immediate
assurance that Mom was home, meaning that we were safe, that we were not alone,
that we were still loved, that we belonged. Happily
for us, mom was always home and always seemed as delighted to see us as were to
see her. There was seldom any doubt as to how mom felt about us – all seven of
us. Our mother’s presence communicated without the use of words that we were
her favorite people. And as much as we delighted in her, her delight in us was
even greater. This happy childhood memory came to mind as I listened to
Yahweh’s touching words to God’s favorite people –
May the readings of today’s liturgy
strengthen our love and commitment to our gracious and loving God!
Deacon Michael Soentgerath