CND Associate Sharon invites us to see the loving God as always searching for ways to reach through to us. Blessed Lent!
A reading from the Book of Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7.
I have listened to the story of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace from varying perspectives over the years, as a child, a parent, and now a grandparent.
The Parent in me echoes:
Never take candy from a stranger!
Be home by 10.
Don’t text and drive.
Just say no!
Don’t eat the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Patrick of Ireland is revisited every year by Irish Americans in a quasi-nationalistic-religious way in the days leading up to March 17th. The songs of the many revolutions and dreams of the Irish are sung and cried over; the dancers kick up their heels; the marchers parade, and the drink is passed around freely. Aside from the initial greeting of “A Happy St. Patrick’s Day to ye,” few even mention the man for whom we have the holy day/holiday.
That is unfortunate because Patrick indeed deserves the place he holds in the Church and among the Irish. The many myths surrounding him about shamrocks, snakes and deer pale in comparison to the reality of his life. Patrick was born a citizen of Rome in the area known today as Great Britain. He was the son of a deacon and the grandson of a priest. (The Roman Catholic Church had married priests up to the 11th century.)
One year ago, Saint Mary's Parish in Montague began to look into the possibility of sponsoring a refugee family. Other church communities were invited to join the committee and the Montague Lions Club offered to provide financial support. After several months of meetings and planning, a family of four arrived. It was a very rewarding experience for all who were involved in this venture. The church communities worked together and many commented on how this made a difference in their lives. People shared their gifts … be it for driving family members to appointments, the local dentist providing free service, retired teachers providing language training and others visiting the family and offering support.