CHILDREN FIRST

CHILDREN FIRST

 

 

“Let the children be fed first.” – Mark 7:27

 

My eyes popped out and my jaw dropped when I opened my birthday gift from our 26-year-old daughter, Trina. It was a Louie Vuitton speedy bag. It was the real thing, not just a Korean knockoff.

I had mixed feelings. Part of me was regretful knowing how much money she had spent on me. But part of me was also joyful knowing how precious I must be to her to merit such a totally unexpected present. Trina is a new lawyer, a much-deserved reward after many years of hard work and sleepless nights in law school. Since she became a junior associate in a law firm, she has lavished us with treasured gifts including a large screen LCD TV and an LCD desktop computer.

Her birthday card said it all, “For all the times you put us first.” It suddenly dawned on me that indeed, my husband, Raul, and I have always put the needs of our children Peevee and Trina before our own. If this is the case with us mortal parents, how much more for our heavenly Father

above? Mari Sison-Garcia (mari_sison_garcia@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

“Let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy” (Psalm 5:11).

 

Loving Father, thank You for loving me beyond measure.

 

Lourdes : A Place of Light and Love

 

In September 2008, Pope Benedict XVI visited Lourdes. One of the most impressive moments there is the candlelight procession held every evening. The Pope participated and spoke at the end to the pilgrims. I just selected for today’s feast some passages from his homily: “On 11 February 1858, in this place known as the Grotto of Massabielle, a simple young girl from Lourdes, Bernadette Soubirous, saw a light, and in this light she saw a young lady who was ‘beautiful, more beautiful than any other.’ This woman addressed her with kindness and gentleness, with respect and trust: ‘Would you do me the kindness of coming here for a fortnight?’ she asked her.... It was in this conversation, in this dialogue marked by such delicacy, that the Lady instructed her to deliver certain very simple messages on prayer, penance and conversion....”

“ Countless people have borne witness to this: when they encountered Bernadette’s radiant face, it left a deep impression on their hearts and minds.... The daily life of the Soubirous family was nevertheless a tale of deprivation and sadness... rejection and poverty. Even if there was no lack of love and warmth in family relationships, life at the cachot was hard. Nevertheless, the shadows of the earth did not prevent the light of heaven from shining....Lourdes is one of the places chosen by God for His beauty to be reflected with particular brightness, hence the importance here of the symbol of light.... Lourdes is a place of light because it is a place of communion, hope and conversion. Jesus says to us: ‘keep your lamps burning’ (Luke 12:35); the lamp of faith, the lamp of prayer, the lamp of hope and love!”

“In this shrine at Lourdes... we are invited to discover the simplicity of our vocation :it is enough to love. May the Virgin Mary and Saint Bernadette help you to live as children of light in order to testify... that Christ is our light, our hope and our life! Amen.” Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

Reflection Question:

Do I pray the Rosary mechanically or — as Pope John Paul II taught — in a meditative way, gazing at Jesus through the eyes of Mary?

 

Lord, thank You for giving us Your beloved Mother as our Mother, too. May I not just venerate her in an emotional way, but “sit in her school” and so learn more about You.

 

St. Severinus, pray for us.