Scripture:
Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34
Matthew 13:31-35
Reflection:
Our black sisters and brothers often begin their prayer time with this affirming reminder:
God is good all the time and
All the time God is good!
Psalm 160, today’s responsorial psalm reiterates this message in these words:
Give thanks to God, for God is good!
In the past week I attended three funerals of people who believed in and lived out this message of God’s goodness. Fr. M served the archdiocese for over twenty years as a good priest who followed the example set forth by Christ, ministering to the sick and dying, the lonely, and the outcast. His parishioners shared stories of how his quiet, gentle presence at the bedside of their sick mother gave them strength and hope. He gave hope to those who struggled, even while he struggled with his own pain and suffering, which led to his untimely death.
“Sr. A” served her religious community for over 60 years. Over those years, she ministered to countless individuals suffering with all sorts of hardships and trials. Her community and family spoke about her welcoming presence and loving heart for all she encountered. They saw in her the goodness and love of God shining through. The disease of Alzheimer’s took away her memory, but her legacy of hope and kindness will live on in those she touched over the years.
‘M’ served as a lay ecclesial minister, teacher, pastoral associate, wife, mother, and grandmother in several parishes and schools for over 40 years. The homilist at her Celebration of Life service recounted how ‘M’ helped him to be a better priest and person with her God-like perseverance, persistence and all-around faithfulness and goodness. She was a colleague of mine for over twenty years and I know I am a better person because of her love and caring ways. The disease of Alzheimer’s also took away her ability to function as she would have liked, but her life of service to family and the people of God will long be remembered.
By the week’s end, I was weary of the sadness of saying goodbye to these good and holy servants of God. At the same time, it has been good to be reminded of God’s goodness and love in showering upon us the grace and renewed sense of hope that comes with knowing we are loved and cared for by a
God who is good all the time, and
All the time, God is good!
Let us rejoice in the goodness of God! May we follow the example of Fr. M, Sr. A and M in showing the goodness of God in how we live our lives.
Theresa Secord is a retired Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.