Monday, September 23, 2024
Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest (20th century Franciscan also known as Padre Pio)
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
How to be born
Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. Give it at once.
This is how we want to enter the world, newborn, eyes wide shut, ears not yet cleared, but somehow all of this we know, because those around us know it and show it.
Welcome to the world.
We’re so glad you’re here.
I love you just the way you are.
I’m so glad you’re a boy.
I’m so glad you’re a girl.
I love having this time together with you.
I enjoy being with you. Holding you, rocking you, feeding you, and taking care of you.
I cherish you in this special time we have together.
I love watching you grow and change every day.
Thank you for coming to us.
We have a special place for you in our home and in our hearts.
I love you, little one.
You have a right to be here.
As the author of this “Welcome to the world,” priest/psychologist John Bradshaw said that if there was a feeling loose in his house growing up, his parents said, “Get it! Stop it!” And Mr. Bradshaw knew most homes are more like that than not. Even as our bodies grow up, our emotional hearts might have trouble keeping up.
Do you really love me? Am I really worth loving? David worked this out for himself, after his own childhood when he was usually ignored by his brothers and father. After Samuel anointed him as the next king of Israel, he spent a lot of his time alone, eluding King Saul’s murderous anger, defeating large animals and a larger Philistine, thinking about who he was and how God felt about him.
You created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
We sang songs yesterday, and we might know the words, but God wants them to soak down into us, right down deep. Feel how deep we are, know how deep God goes with us. We all have a right to be here. We have no business disregarding ourselves, or any others.
Before I spoke a word You were singing over me
Before I took a breath You breathed Your life in me
You have been so so good to me
Come thou fount of living water, tune my heart to bless your name.
Jesus, sitting by the fire with Nicodemus, said to him softly, “You must be born again, Nicodemus.” The gentle Pharisee didn’t understand.
There’s no shadow you won’t light up, mountain you won’t climb, coming after me.
Look how much I love you, Nicodemus. God loves us all like that, and our Father has prepared a place for you.
There’s no wall you won’t kick down, no lie you won’t tear down. Coming after me!
David sought solitude and freedom from humans who knew no better but to be threatened by him. But he did not feel that way about God.
If I make my bed in the depths you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, if I say the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you. The night will shine like the day.
Every baby born sings all these same songs, and the songs stop only when we no longer encourage them. This is not Jesus’ way, not our Father’s way, not the way of the Holy Spirit.
No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.
Any day of any life, I can hear God calling. I love you, David. I know you better than you think. I am so glad I made you. Welcome to my world.
To live on God’s holy mountain, think the truth in your heart and do justice. Honor those who fear the Lord. As you do these things, you will not be disturbed.
(Proverbs 3, Psalm 15, Matthew 5, Luke 8)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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