Always A Chance

A simple gesture such as placing a bouquet of flowers before the side altar dominted by a large statue of Mary and Jesus can stir the hearts of onlookers to remember the kindness available to us from Jesus and Mary. It can also remind us of the little acts we can offer to each other in the course of our day. Such was the case this morning when a woman humbly placed her gift of flowers at Mary's feet before Mass. Those of us in the front saw her, but others probably only noticed them when they came up to Communion. She did not do it for show, but to honor our Good Mother and her Son. And fittingly, since Saturdays are devoted to Mary, who was born to present Jesus to the world. The gift will remain there until the flowers fade, and as she did last week and this, no doubt the woman will bring another bouquet next week. After her little act of kindness, we heard the reading from Baruch in which he reminds us that "As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him."(Bar 4:28). I thought of a friend who is doing just that: in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction which had brought him to the bottom of the pit, to a whole new world of joy and happiness in the RCIA program with Baptism, Confirmation, Penance and First Communion slated for the Easter Vigil in 2014. He was given another chance, and has taken it so seriously that his journey is affecting his friends to do likewise. From a simple gift to flowers, to a major turn around in life, there is always an opportunity to witness to the unfailing love of God and the myriad chances open to us. Bro. Rene