Change is the opportunity to step into a new vision for what is possible for ourselves and our world.
We're continuing our Touchstones Across Sacred Space series, and we will begin to hear from different voices from the MPB community. Today's reflection will be led by Tony Haas (Director of Ministries), and on Wednesday we will hear from Teresa Stone (Director of Music). I look forward to joining you again on Friday!
God bless and stay well,
Fr. Pat
"To See As God Sees"
March 23, 2020
In today’s reading from First Samuel, we see David being chosen and anointed as king by Samuel. For David, it must have been a surprising new beginning in his life, since he was the youngest son from whom nothing much was expected! This new change of events for David forced him to change his understanding of who he was and how he related to others. We have that same challenge before each of us in this time of social distancing.
One of the more challenging aspects of our new situation is that all of us are being forced to do something new or to develop skills that we are not yet good or competent at. It's difficult to immediately remember to keep a safe distance or to not shake hands, and it may be a challenge to rely on social media and other forms of electronic communication to stay in touch with others outside your household.
But as much as I sometimes resist doing something new, I am also deeply aware that taking the risk to learn new skills is what keeps me feeling younger and more adaptive and able to deal with adversity. These changes we are facing in our daily lives are also reminders for how we are to respond to God in our spiritual lives. We are regularly being invited by God into something new.
Change is the opportunity to step into a new vision for what is possible for ourselves and our world.
Tony Haas
Director of Ministries
Fourth Sunday of Lent
The LORD said to Samuel:
“Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.
I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,
for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”
“Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.
I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,
for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”
As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice,
Samuel looked at Eliab and thought,
“Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.”
But the LORD said to Samuel:
“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature,
because I have rejected him.
Not as man sees does God see,
because man sees the appearance
but the LORD looks into the heart.”
In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel,
but Samuel said to Jesse,
“The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”
Then Samuel asked Jesse,
“Are these all the sons you have?”
Jesse replied,
“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said to Jesse,
“Send for him;
we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.”
Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.
He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold
and making a splendid appearance.
The LORD said,
“There—anoint him, for this is the one!”
Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand,
anointed David in the presence of his brothers;
and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.
Samuel looked at Eliab and thought,
“Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.”
But the LORD said to Samuel:
“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature,
because I have rejected him.
Not as man sees does God see,
because man sees the appearance
but the LORD looks into the heart.”
In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel,
but Samuel said to Jesse,
“The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”
Then Samuel asked Jesse,
“Are these all the sons you have?”
Jesse replied,
“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said to Jesse,
“Send for him;
we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.”
Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.
He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold
and making a splendid appearance.
The LORD said,
“There—anoint him, for this is the one!”
Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand,
anointed David in the presence of his brothers;
and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.
"Heart of My God" by Sarah Hart
Performed by the MPB Music Ministry at their 12/1/2017 Concert.
Soloists in order of appearance are parishioners Angela Elias and Elena Kalahar.
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