Scripture:
Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21
Mark 6:30-34
Reflection:
Is there anything scarier than finding yourself attracted to someone and then getting the sense that they are paying attention to you? Not for me, there isn’t. I remember my first "love" as it were, Claudia. We were in the fourth grade and she was new to our class. She and her family had just moved into the neighborhood about a block from where I lived. The first sense I had that she liked me was when she touched my face with her two hands in the cloakroom. I can still remember that touch today, sixty years later. It wasn’t long before Claudia moved again, this time two doors down from where I lived. Karen, the older sister of my friend who lived between Claudia and me talked me into taking Claudia to the drug store and buying her a coke. I did and life was good!
Eventually Claudia moved yet again, only this time, all the way across the United States to California. Sometime after that I got a letter from her. My older brother got hold of it first and gave it to me only after taunting: "Danny has a girl friend… Danny has a girlfriend!" When I finally did get the letter from him, I tore it up and never read it. I guess I decided to wait a few years to hopefully bolster my social skills before getting so involved in the future.
Love and life are sometimes scary God, especially when I get a sense that You are calling me. Help me realize with the psalmist today, that Your offer of fresh and green pastures, running water, goodness and kindness are mine today because You love me. I know that because of the beautiful people you’ve placed in my life that love me.
Dan O’Donnell is a Passionist Partner and a longtime friend of the Passionists. He lives in Chicago.