I’m only as joyful as my saddest child

Greetings on this the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Readings: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17; John 2:13-22

Summary

Zeal for your house will consume me (Jn 2:17).

Yesterday was the Chapel of Holy Innocents.

Prayers for the unborn and their mothers in crisis finds a home here.

Today after the early morning Mass at St Mark’s I go over to the Veteran Administration Medical Center (VAMC) to minister to veterans in the CLC (Community Living Center) and Hospice units and then serve the Holy Mass. The women from Sacred Heart are coming and I so look forward to seeing my friends again.

Prayers for veterans and their families finds a home here.

I’ll attach more photos later if possible.

Today we celebrate the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome.

Unlike the commemorations of other Roman churches, this anniversary is a feast. The dedication of a church is a feast for all its parishioners. In a sense, St. John Lateran is the parish church of all Catholics, because it is the pope’s cathedral. This church is the spiritual home of the people who are the Church.

A home for all of us whether our own home is in ruins, stolen form us, or we are in a diaspora. Prayers for the dispossessed and on pilgrimage finds a home here.

Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/dedication-of-saint-john-lateran-basilica/

Reflection

Recently, a woman said to me from deep within her spirit a phrase that haunts me.

I’m only as joyful as my saddest child. At first I thought it was a singular, impactful, unique statement but learned since it is a shared feeling among so many parents. It also opens up other threads of discussion such as self-care and teaching maturity and self-reliance. even still, with all the ‘proper wisdom-filled care‘, joy is limited by the sadness of our children.

Prayers for our children finds a home here.

Source: https://www.imom.com/youre-only-as-happy-as-your-least-happy-child/

new Birth

Christ himself used the image of childbirth to name the pain that gives way to joy.

When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world (Jn 16:21).

Prayers for our mothers and newborns finds a home here.

Personal Reflection

The immensity of the human need for healthy bodies and healthy souls, for relationships built on mutual respect and common good is vast. Incalculable. At least for me, a mere human. But for the Lord Jesus the cleansing of the temple isn’t a vanity play. It is a restoration to prayer in my Father’s house.

• Zeal for prayer.
• Zeal for love.
• Zeal for restoration and return.

that is to say…

Zeal, O Lord, make me a dwelling of your mercy.

Zeal, O Lord, I beg you, may I have zeal for the Father’s House. Not as a destination but a journey of life. Not as a sanitary sink but a sanctifying reality. In the tension and irony of Joy, we are joyful to be with the Lord and share the sadness of the saddest child. There is no other way for us. “Eli, eli, lama sabachthani? is the depths of empathy and sympathy. The Pathos of God.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110925.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry