Dear Friend of Carmel Mission,
Today in the Gospel Peter says to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here!” Given that Peter had just witnessed Jesus’ Transfiguration and the appearance of Moses and Elijah that could be categorized as a bit of an understatement. It is amazing, miraculous, and astonishing that we are here seems more apt.
There is a line from the 15th Century devotional book “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas à Kempis that says, “Wherever you go….there you are, for you brought yourself with you.”
Wherever we go, wherever we find ourselves, wherever we try to hide ourselves, God is also there. God is waiting for us, God is welcoming us. We do not need to understand everything. When we are present in that moment , be it joyful, or painful or tedious, it is good that we are there. We are taking the next step on our journey, and God is by our side.
The pandemic has forced us to explore what it means to be with God, what it means to be God’s Church. We have encountered God in our living rooms, on our televisions, computers and cell phones. We discovered God in our Courtyard as we celebrated Mass outdoors. God’s presence did not change. God has always been, and always will be, in all those places and many more. It is we who re-oriented ourselves to recognize God in new places and new situations. I encourage you to join me this week to take time in ordinary moments, to be present and to say, “Loving God, it is good that I am here with you.” I assure you, wherever you are, God is there and happy that you are also there.
I wish you and your loved ones continued blessings of good health, renewed hope, and the comforting presence of God,
Fr. Paul
Please take a moment to read our Carmel Mission weekly bulletin.