February 14, 2011

Jesus, thank you for all of the people I love to love. Thank you for my precious children, and their smiling morning faces, for my husband, for my own mom,dad, brothers, and sisters.  Thank you for my friends.  Thank you for putting them all in my life to help me grow in love, and become a better person.  Amen

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,
seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Then he left them, got into the boat again,
and went off to the other shore.

Mk 8: 11-13

Because it's Valentines day the first thing I thought of when I read this was about how cheesy I think Valentines day is.  Sometimes it's feels like a holiday meant to remind people that don't have a special someone, to feel bad about it.  So many people buy into that.  If they don't have a girlfriend, boyfriend, or spouse they feel unloved by everyone.  If they do have someone, but that someone does not live up to expectations for Valentines day, they feel unloved.  It's ridiculous, people are looking for signs, huge banners in fact , that they are loved by someone else.  It is because we have a God shaped whole.  We are looking for God's love and no human beings can fill the whole in our hearts that is meant to be filled by Jesus.  He will never disappoint.  In the gospel today, I feel that is why Jesus sighs from the depth of the spirit.  He must be thinking, "They just don't get it, I'm here to mend hearts, to heal people who are suffering, and they want a sign?!"

Actually I really do like the holiday, it's fun to give and receive little heart shaped candies, cookies, and goodies. Today you do have a chance to reach out to someone lonely because they will be feeling their loneliness today.  Help them feel cared for, and help point them in the direction of Jesus who loves them more than anyone on this earth.

Jesus, help me to love someone who needs it today, help me love them with simple caring instead of over the top signs. Amen