July 30
Beloved families of Good Shepherd,
Peace be with you! In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus teaches us that “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15). Rather, Jesus encourages us to center our lives on becoming rich toward God.
As I’ve worked with children over the years, I’ve come to realize that children possess an extraordinary amount of spiritual wealth. I feel that if we decided to rank spiritual wealth instead of material wealth in our culture, children would rank at the top of the list of the world’s wealthiest people. Children are naturally loving, generous, joyful, peaceful, simple, humble, and quick to forgive others. Children model a beautiful way of being and teach me how to be rich toward God.
At the start of the processional hymn this past Sunday, I noticed a 3-year-old parishioner waving hello when I looked across the nave in her direction. Her small act of kindness made my heart soften and soar. She shared her spiritual wealth with me and I was changed.
In my work as a parent, teacher, and minister, I have observed that children are rich in humility; they know their blessed state of dependency, needfulness, and vulnerability. Children show me how to live from a position of humility in my relationship with God. I have also observed that children are joyful when their needs are met by a loving adult. Children are rich in joy toward God and others and teach me how to be this way. I’ve noticed as well that children love to be generous. They love to gift their creative work to the special adults in their lives. I have also witnessed the ability of children to effortlessly forgive others. Children can instantly forgive a hurt caused by another and then happily resume playing together again as though nothing ever happened. Children inspire me to forgive quickly and to refrain from holding a grudge.
Jesus invites us to become like children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven, the place of abundant spiritual wealth and humble dependence on God. I give thanks to God for the children in our parish and our day school community for sharing their spiritual wealth and for revealing what richness toward God looks like.
We invite families to join our Back-to-School Parish Picnic on Sunday, August 10, following the 10 am service. Also, Fr. Hendree will offer a Back-to-School Blessing of students and teachers at the 8 am, 10 am, and 5 pm services that morning. We hope your family will make plans to join us in this fun celebration of a new school year!
See you this Sunday!
Many Blessings,
Patty