In the Gospel reading today, we find that the disciples are offended for Jesus, just like the Israelites were for Moses in the First Reading. Jesus, like Moses, gives us a great example here. If someone is doing something good, hopeful, and helpful, why should we be offended? The Lord is very powerful and does not have to work through us. Are we comfortable with letting the Lord work wonders in and through those who “don’t fit our ways”?
I have found that the Lord often speaks in and through those most unlikely. This should not be surprising to us, as Scripture says, God uses the weak, the poor, the lowly… In school, some of the most powerful thoughts often come from our youngest children. Children have the gift of seeing things in new and/or different ways. They can make you laugh when you want to cry. I have watched tough, 6-foot 8th graders become soft and gentle around the smallest kindergarten student.
Do we leave room in our lives for Jesus to work in the most unexpected ways? Jesus is doing great work in our Church, parish, and school community! A couple of weeks ago (September 15th) I was blessed to be part of the Abbey Fest in Paoli, Pa. The Abbey Fest has been going on for 10 years! It is a Saturday, in September, where you can go and meet Catholic vendors (businesses), hear Catholic musicians and artists, go to Confession as well as time for Adoration! The day ends with 4:30pm Mass with Archbishop Perez, Benediction, and then a Matt Maher concert. The day is filled with ways that Jesus is doing things in unexpected ways!
It was awesome to meet Catholics who are excited about their Faith and wanting to share it with others! Some of these brothers and sisters might not be in every youth group, young adult group, or be a registered member of a parish. But they are working hard to share the Faith through their business, art, music, craft, etc… All of these are more examples of how Jesus is working through so many others! What a gift! Thank you Lord, for giving us the eyes to see what you are doing in our Church today!