NOT THE IMAGE YOU WERE EXPECTING?
Yes, I do realize that it's September, and no, I'm NOT trying to speed through Ordinary Time, but in light of last week's note about Sacraments being "the intersection of heaven and earth," "a gift and sign of God's love," and God's sign language for "I love you," I just couldn't help but include this picture this week. What could be greater signs of God's love than the manger and the empty tomb??
For thousands of years, God attempted to communicate with the Israelites in a variety of ways: a rainbow, a burning bush, the parting of the Red Sea, pillars of clouds and fire, a still small voice, wind, dreams, angels, and prophets. Each of those signs were meant to let God's people know that they were loved and that God could be trusted, but when life was good, they quickly forgot all that God had done for them, and they sometimes cursed God and turned away to follow strange gods.
So finally, in an act of GREAT and UNPRECEDENTED love, God came to physically be with us; heaven intersected earth. I don't think I could say it any better than this quote from RESource:
"Jesus is himself the great sacrament of God’s love. Jesus was the fullest revelation possible of God’s goodness and love... In his person, and through his actions, words and gestures Jesus made God and God’s love present on earth. He was, and is still, for us ‘the image of the unseen God’(Col:5), the ‘Word made flesh’ who lived among us (John 1) and hence the greatest sacrament of God."
WOW!!
And in case that quote doesn't fill you with wonder, awe, and gratitude, check out this song by Lauren Daigle. Yep, it is a Christmas song and I have used it before, but try listening in a new way, focused on how much God loves YOU!!
"A baby's cry is the sound of love come down..."
What's Happening:
September 14: Theology by the Glass
September 15: Praying in Nature with the Senses
**September 18: Living the Sacraments Begins
September 18: Laidback Book Club (Laudato Si') begins
September 22: Cemetery Pilgrimage with Angela Pasek
Details and Registration Information Can Be Found in Last Week's Flocknote or on the Parish Website:
https://www.blessed-midland.org/adult-faith-formation/
**If you are interested in having a copy of LIVING THE SACRAMENTS but don't want to join the study group, please email me. Books are $7.
New to This Note
Men's Morning of Reflection
Date: October 1st, 2022
Guest Speaker: Fr. Andy LaFramboise
Topic: “Then their Eyes were opened: How the Eucharist helps us live as Men.”
Details and Registration will be on the website soon, but you can also call the Parish Center to register.
(989)835-6777
It's Time for the CROP Hunger Walk!!
Come celebrate our 50th Anniversary of fighting hunger 1 step at a time in Midland County on October 2. I'm part of the committee and have put together a fun little video you can watch here:
https://www.facebook.com/MIDLANDCROPWALK/videos/831432314903911
To donate or be part of our Blessed Sacrament Team click here:
https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2022/blessed-sacrament-catholic-church-midland-mi
WHOLE "PARISH FAMILY" FUN NIGHTS
These are WHOLE COMMUNITY events. Bring your friends, neighbors, kids, grandkids.... The movie night includes a taco dinner, discussion time, an activity, and a take home gift. For more information and to register, click the buttons:
I hope to see you ALL at one event or another over the next month! You certainly make Blessed Sacrament feel like home to me and to so many others!
With joy and gratitude,