“God loves us all”
This week’s readings focus on three stories that show us how God cares for, loves, and forgives us all.
Have you ever lost anything of value or of importance to you? How did you feel when you lost it, what did you do to try to find it? If you managed to find it, how did you feel?
Why was the Shepherd and the women so worried about losing one sheep or one coin? The answer is simple, they were very important and valuable to them, no matter what. Jesus is our shepherd and we, his followers, are the sheep. All people are valuable to God because God created us and loves us. We may, at times, decide to turn away from God, although it is important to always continue to remember that God waits for us to return.
In the parable of the Lost Son, we hear about a father’s forgiveness for his son. His father forgave his son because he realised that he had done wrong and he came back to his father, saying sorry. Again, this is true love, no matter what.
How should we treat people?
We should try to make sure that everyone feels welcome. We can try to recognise everyone’s special gifts and talents and help everyone feel safe and happy. In our parish, we all have special gifts and talents to share. It could be showing this love through helping support our younger members of our church community to hear the Gospel at their own faith stage. You may have a gift in singing or playing music that we are yet to know about. Maybe you would like to deliver the words spoken in the Bible, by joining the reading roster. Or sharing your gift of hospitality by greeting people with a warm smile at the beginning of mass or at the end with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Being part of our parish in a loving and active way is one way to share your gifts or talents and help everyone feel included and joy-filled during mass at Our Lady of Lourdes.
We can also look outwards – seeing how we can spread God’s love and mercy to others. Perhaps during the week, you can try to do what is right by sharing God’s love for everyone with all the people that you meet, particularly those people who seem lonely or sad.
At Our Lady of Lourdes School, our wonderful Young Vinnies group is doing just this. Every Wednesday they met to create and hand out cards, gifts, and support our parishioners during morning tea, and sit and chat with parishioners after our 10 am service. It is wonderful to hear the positive feedback about what joy this brings to members of our Church. Our tamariki/children are a true gift of God’s love in action.
Also in the classroom, playground, or in our local community, you will see our School Mercy values in action; RESPECT – Te Tapu o te Tangata, SOCIAL JUSTICE – Tika, SERVICE – Rato, HOSPITALITY – Manaakitanga, COMPASSION – Aroha, and EXCELLENCE – Panekiritanga. Our tamariki are living examples of Jesus’ love, by the way, they use their kind hearts, heart, and voices in all that they do.
So a challenge for all;
How will you do this in the coming week?
Though the main thing to continue to remember is that “God loves us all”.
(Adapted from CAFOD)
By Helena Pedley, DRS, Our Lady of Lourdes School