Today’s 1st reading caused me to wonder: “Are we relying too much on man and science right now…given our current situation?”
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m regular at the Center For Disease Control website, I watch just about every Covid-19 press conference, and I (definitely) look for good civic leadership. Still, today’s readings caused me to reflect.
Even though it was over 2,000 years ago, the Samarians and we share common ground. Like ourselves at times, they were trying to make sense of their world and also shape it to fit their desires. Sound familiar?
As we heard, they built idols of gold and silver and made sacrifices to them. They created kings and princes without consulting God first. They thought these acts would ensure prosperity and peace, but it didn’t.
So, here are two questions that each of us can ask individually and as a family:
1st: What are my or my family’s idols? What are the things: like money, power, popularity, a home or a car, that I worship by what I’m willing to sacrifice to attain or maintain them. Sometimes even knowledge of science, especially in a time like now, can become an idol that we place all our trust.
2nd: Who are the kings and princes that I or we follow above or in competition with God? Today’s kings and princes could be our elected officials, experts in a particular field, sport or entertainment figures, or even friends that we blindly follow.
And, if I can, we as a family can answer “yes” to either of those questions: How do we get things right again? Like Venerable Patrick Peyton, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati believed prayer is what leads us back to God. He said, “prayer is the noble supplication which we lift up to the throne of God. It is the most efficient means to obtain from God the graces which we need, and especially the strength in persevering in these times….” Father Peyton believed in the power of family prayer, especially the Rosary…that simple and yet powerful action of turning to God faithfully as a family for guidance, wisdom, perseverance, or whatever we need on a particular day.
If it’s been a while, today is a great day to begin again to put God first. It’s then He can show us the way, including using our God-given talents of leadership and intellect, but always looking to God first.
May God bless you and your families this holy day!
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Today's readings
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Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
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To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EDT, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
