Responsorial Psalm 42 and 43
R: Athirst is my soul for the living God.
As the hind longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for you, O God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God? (R)
Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on and bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling place. (R)
Then will I go to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy; Then will I give you thanks on the harp, O God, my God (R)
Reflection: “Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God?”
After spending three intense, fun filled days with my granddaughters, it was time to come home. As we said our good byes, we were making plans for the next time to meet. I saw them disappear as we drove away. I already anticipated the future times to be spent with them and clung to the flowers given me for Mother’s Day. We are aware of these emotions. We all yearn for that which at the present moment is gone and cannot be reached. We long to be with our loved ones.
Today is the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary. On May 13, 1917, Our Mother appeared to three children (Jacinta, Francisco and Lucia) in Fatima, Portugal. Her message was simple -- sacrifice ourselves for the conversion of sinners; pray, namely the Rosary; offer reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary and consecrate ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary is helping her Son bring back souls to Him. She came to show how souls may be saved in the Kingdom of God. She confirms, supports and reaffirms all that has been revealed by her Son.
We are asked to pray the rosary daily, sacrifice, repent, fast, convert, and consecrate our loved ones, strangers, the forgotten, and our friends to God. May the thirst that we feel when longing for God’s presence be shared with all.
Do we want to be saints? Do we want to be in heaven and do we want others to reach that same goal? May our priests encourage this thirst or yearning for God and with hope in His grace reach our heavenly destination.
God Bless
