From the corner office for March 14, 2021

(We continue with the Scrutiny Reading, in Cycle A this week)

Anointed to see…can we reword that as: Called to see…think about this week’s readings: the first reading has Samuel sent to anoint the chosen one who is one of Jesse’s sons. The one to be anointed ends up being David, who was out with the sheep. Samuel tells the others, “Not as Man sees does God see…but the LORD looks into the heart.” This should make us all feel comforted, that God looks into our hearts as the place to be, talk, and inspire us…in our hearts.

The second reading and the gospel has Paul talking about being a child of the light, and then Jesus curing the blind man. The movement is to see the world, Jesus, and God more clearly.

Yes, I agree, this is not the best Covid-friendly passage with Jesus making the clay and sending the man to wash in the pool. But let’s move beyond that, and ask how our vision is? Do we see God clearly, do we see Jesus in others (or even, ourselves)? Can we see God in our world? This last one can really be the challenge given the hurt and ugliness of the news. But that is one of the biggest and more fruitful blessings that can help us. The challenge from St. Ignatius Loyola, to see God in all things…that means seeing God in others, ourselves, and not just nature or the easy things.

Look around this week, not only with the flowers starting to poke through, but in the more challenging corners of our lives. If we can’t see God in those corners, well – let’s do our job to bring God to the most challenging corners of our lives.

Fr. Mike

75th Anniversary thoughts:
Marking the date this past March 8th, as the founding of the parish, we have been praying in a special way for all of our benefactors and our past-present-future parishioners. The next important date will be April 7, 1946 as the anniversary of our first Mass. I understand that it was in the old Memphis Theater building, now the American Legion Post, so a field trip may be in order…

The Parish Pastoral Council is pulling together committees to help organize and plan various anniversary events – so continue to stay tuned. The “75 & 75 for the 75th” is in full swing, so be sure to keep this campaign in your prayers and please support where you can help. This year is a pivotal year as we launch St. Thomas More Parish into the next 75 years.