April 17

Readings for the Day: ACTS 4:1-12, PS 118:1-2, 4, 22-27 JN 21:1-14

Here are two lines from today’s Psalm: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.” “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.”

So, I know, I know. I gave you homework yesterday when I declared a roll call, but I’m giving you homework again today. I want you to write five things you are grateful for from the last 24 hours. You can email it to me or keep it to yourself. That’s up to you.

And remember: just because we are grateful for something, doesn’t mean we like everything. It is a fact that if we wait for everything to be perfect, we will live lives bereft of gratitude.

I’ll go first…

I am incredibly grateful to God that I live where my family has grass to play in during this period of encouraged isolation.

I am incredibly grateful to God that I don’t know a single person who is ill.

I am grateful to God that my commute only takes 40 minutes instead of the normal hour or more (but I’m also ready for this stay-at-home order to be rescinded soon).

I am incredibly grateful to God that I work in a parish where the pastor is so holy, the staff have rallied in adversity, and the parishioners have been so faithful.

I am grateful that we live in a time where the internet can be used to keep us from complete isolation through websites, YouTube, Zoom chats, etc. and yet - while a blessing - we are rediscovering these technologies are no substitute for in-person human contact and conversation.

I look forward to hearing about what you are grateful for!

David is the Director of Faith Formation at Our Lady of Joy. If you have comments or questions, send your emails to dlins@oloj.org.

As we have lost our weekly collection income, we can only maintain our current staff for a limited time without your help. Please spread the word and sign up for auto-pay or make whatever donation you can at www.ezekielgiving.com/App/Giving/oloj.