St. Joseph of the Lakes

Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him”.

This is Jesus’ response to the apostles question of who sinned to make the man be born blind: himself or his parents. What an odd and interesting answer. Does it apply to all who are troubled by handicaps or specifically to this one man? The more I contemplate that answer the more I believe that it is the wider application. We all know troubled people and often it is tempting to think that either they themselves or someone else needs to be responsible to help them. However; I know several Down’s syndrome families and I have been moved by the show of God’s grace and love towards that person. It is almost always not only the parents but also the siblings who enfold the person in care and love. I see this same reaction in other families that have children handicapped in other ways too. This is a case of the person being born so that the works of God might be made visible through them.

This is a different way of looking at the world and those in it. Instead of seeing how unfortunate the situation seems, to instead take on the thought of Jesus that this is another opportunity so that the works of God may be made visible. This begins to lead to an idea that perhaps others we know who are having difficulties might be opportunities that God may work through us to ease their pains. Every time I see someone bring up some food for the food shelf at Mass I find myself reflecting on how this is its own way of making God’s work visible, by our helping to feed the hungry.

We are going to be given the opportunity to help ship more food from “Feed My Starving Children” to Guatemala in the coming weeks. Again through our generosity we make God’s work visible as we feed the hungry. There are all sorts of opportunities that arise both as a faith community and on a personal basis. Keep this in mind the next time you are challenged to step up to help someone: we all live to make God’s works visible.

On another note, the Knights of Columbus are having a recruiting drive. I want you to know how much I appreciate their work around the parish as well as I admire the way that they support each other as Christian men. If you are sitting on the fence about joining I want to encourage you make a decision to say “yes” this year.