Just Like Dad

The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. John 5:19

Isn’t it endearing to see a child mimicking his parents? How often we’ve seen the young boy in a car seat, gripping his imaginary steering wheel intently while keeping a close eye on the driver to see what Daddy does next.

I remember doing the same thing when I was young. Nothing gave me greater pleasure than doing exactly what my dad did—and I’m sure he got an even bigger kick watching me copy his actions.

I would like to think God felt the same way when He saw His dearest Son doing exactly what the Father did—reaching out to the lost, helping the needy, and healing the sick. Jesus said, "the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does" (John 5:19).

We too are called to do the same—to “follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love” (Eph. 5:1–2). As we continue growing to be more like Jesus, may we seek to love like the Father loves, forgive like He forgives, care like He cares, and live in ways that please Him. It is a delight to copy His actions, in the power of the Spirit, knowing that our reward is the affectionate, tender smile of a loving Father.

Jesus, thank You for showing us the way to the Father. Help us to be more and more like You and the Father each day.

~"Our Daily Bread" - writer Leslie Koh

Current possibilities

Pretty much anything you can imagine is eventually possible. Yet what you can act upon immediately is whatever is now possible.

Act to transform current possibilities into reality, and you create whole new sets of possibilities. Continue to act on those new possibilities you create, and you can make your way to any result.

By all means, look with determination toward the ultimate goal you seek. Then look around, where you are, and embrace the current possibilities that can move you toward that goal.

When there is just one possibility within reach, then no possibility can continue to stay out of reach. And wherever you are, whatever way you’ve traveled, there is always one possibility within reach.

You don’t have to figure out how to get all the way there. You just have to take one step, available to you right now, that will move you in the direction of your goal.

Take that step, and then the next and the next. By embracing and actualizing your current possibilities, you can achieve whatever you choose.

— Ralph Marston

On the top floor of the building at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine there is a room with windows on three sides. The view is, needless to say, spectacular. One of the windows faces a bank of very tall trees. It is very reflective to just sit and watch the trees which seem to move at the mercy of the wind. In reality, the trees move, not at the mercy of the wind, but with the wind.

This movement changes with the seasons. Each season brings its own particular force; a pelting rain, a gentle drizzle, a blizzard, the first hint of snow, hail and all that these forces of nature have to offer. If one looks at the uppermost branches of the tree those branches are affected most by the changing of seasons. Those top branches are the spindliest, and look as if in the force of the wind that they might break off, but they don’t. Their movement suggests that the branches are dancing. They might be waltzing with each other, dancing a lively polka or slow dancing in the heat of the afternoon. All in all, it is a beautiful meditation.

These movements of nature serve as a metaphor for life. We too are at the top of the tree. We live our lives in the company of others. Our living is like dancing with other people. We too are fragile, but if we bend when life throws its worst at us we will not break. Sometimes we are graceful, sometimes so quick that we seem frenetic in our movements. If we consider God as the director of the movements and we move with and not against the elements, like the spindly branches, we will not break either. If we allow God to help us in our dance then we will grow just as the branches grow for the next season. Perhaps we will not understand the steps of the dance, but if we let God lead, we too will be a picture of beauty.

Bible Vs.: Psalm 149: 1, 3-4
Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful! Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with timbrel and harp and lyre! For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.

Prayer: O, Lord let me allow you to direct my life. Let me praise you for my success and let me find comfort in you for my failures. For when I stiffen at your urgings in my life it is then that I become unhappy and break. You always pick me up and put me back together. Lord, help me to have the courage and faith to follow your lead.

Spotlight: Come to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine to follow the Lord’s lead in your life. We are located at 21281 Chardon Rd., Euclid, Ohio 44117. Enjoy the beautiful grounds, visit the gift shop open daily. Come to daily Mass Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 7:00 AM, Tuesday at 5:00 PM, Saturday at 8:00 AM and Sunday at 8:00 and 9:30 AM, with the 9:30 AM Mass outdoor. On Sundays, May through October have breakfast at St. Ann Dining Room from after the 9:30 AM Mass until 11:30 AM and lunch from noon until 2:30 PM. Let the Lord lead you here.