Peace...a favourite word for me! I have been thinking about purity quite a bit lately too. Specifically, I have been thinking about a pure heart and my own desire to have one and to walk steadfast in the ways of righteousness. We reap what we sow. In the second reading, there is much discussion about conflicts and disputes, about wanting things that you do not have and committing murder to get them, about coveting things and causing disputes because of it.
I have had an interesting day. My family and I gathered at the cemetery this morning to remember my sister whose 20th anniversary is later this week. Mom wondered out loud if she would have been married with kids--my mother's disappointment in the rest of us for not doing well enough in that category was obvious. From there I went to church for the annual picnic and on the way in, a homeless man, reached out his hand, filled with pennies, and said something I could not comprehend but I replied with, "how about a brownie instead? I made them myself. They are pretty good." He looked down at the plate of treats in my hand, and then, back at me. "I trust you," he replied as he took one.
The picnic was good too. A friend has returned to Winnipeg and I had invited her to join me. It was wonderful to see her again, and, with all my ramblings this summer, it was nice to be in my home community and greet people I had not seen all summer. I chatted at the end of the event with a man who has a real hunger for God and Ignatian spirituality. I love seeing that in a man. He has a heart that wants to yield to God's will, and seeks good fruits. I walked away impressed.
So many times we argue as the disciples do in the Gospel of Mark today, about who is the greatest. This man just longed to be a better human, a better dad, a better Catholic. When was the last time you did an act of kindness for no reason at all? How did you bless someone with your peace recently?
Peace,
Suzanne
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