Monday August 11, 2025

Matthew 17:22-27

One day when they were together in Galilee, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men; they will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised to life again.’ And a great sadness came over them.

I wonder who among the disciples or maybe it was Our Lord who “snapped” everyone out of this sad and difficult news. Someone must have said “But until then, there is a lot of life to be lived!” Bad or sad news tend to linger, the call for me here is to find the good news. How quickly can I pivot and refocus.

I remember when the doctor told me I had the cancer many years ago. I wanted to go into my room and cry. I was alone in a rectory in Clementsville Ky. But you know, the moment I shared the news with a parishioner, she started working the phone. She had a cousin who was a doctor and within days I had a follow up appointment. The parish got together and flew mama over to America. Yes things moved fast!

My point is, there is a lot of life to be lived. Do not die before you are dead! That makes no sense at all right? I mean you have a choice every day to pivot and find good reasons for joy, meaning, purpose. Our Lord never stopped, he kept on announcing the good news!