Love = Answer

Feast of John Gabriel Perboyre, CM

SCRIPTURE
- Psalm 86:5     
“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.” 

REFLECTION
- Sr. Kathleen

MUSIC
- We Have Been Told by Catholic Songs

- Love is the Answer by England Dan & John Ford Coley

NOTES
-

PRAYER OF LETTING GO
To You do I belong, O God,
into Your hands I surrender my life.
Pour out Your Spirit upon me
that I may love You perfectly,
and serve You faithfully
until my soul rests in You.

Transcript

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SPEAKER_04 0:27

This past Wednesday we celebrated Blessed Frederick Ozenam, the founder of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and today, two days later, we celebrate the memorial of Saint John Gabriel Perabore, a Vincentian priest and saint and martyr, who tirelessly proclaimed the good news of Jesus to those in China, and ultimately gave his life for it. An example to us as we too proclaim the good news that draws us together this day in prayer. Welcome to the God Minute. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

unknown 1:27

Amen.

SPEAKER_04 1:28

O Lord, open my lips.

SPEAKER_03 1:31

And my mouth shall declare your praise.

SPEAKER_00 1:37

Love is God's gift. I breathe in the quietness, enjoying the empty space, knowing I am in the company of the Holy One.

SPEAKER_02 1:54

It is a good place to be. My confidence finds its anchor. My spirit feels renewed. God is a safe haven for me.

SPEAKER_00 2:11

To be honest and free in God. They are delusions created by others.

SPEAKER_02 2:23

Everything can change in an instant. And life's gift is in the here and now. Put no confidence in things that disappear, but find blessing in the wisdom of the ages.

SPEAKER_00 2:51

A place of security and sanctuary.

SPEAKER_02 2:57

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_00 3:03

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 3:31

The word of the Lord. Today we remember the events of twenty-five years ago, 9-11. The horrific events of that day were met with heroic acts of goodness, courage, and bravery. It was the light overcoming the darkness. I would like to share my own experience of that reality. St. Paul's Episcopal Church sat directly across from the World Trade Center, yet miraculously survived unscathed. Not even one window was broken. It soon became a place of refuge, 24-7, for all those working at ground zero. Every recovery worker, firefighter, construction worker were all provided food and rest and much more. Over 5,000 volunteers rotated through 12-hour shifts over the next nine months. And I was grateful to have been one of them. When rescue workers first entered St. Paul's, they saw table after table lining the left side of the church, filled with anything they might need to stay warm. Across the back of the church was a large buffet of hot and cold food, breakfast, lunch, or dinner, all donated by restaurants and food stores. Along another wall of the church, there were counselors available, and on any given day or night there would be a masseuse or two offering food and neck massages or chiropractors. Clergy, ministers, and religious of all denominations were there for prayer and pastoral support. But what always struck me was the quiet, the softness of the sounds, the conversations that would be held in whispers. It was an unspoken acknowledgement that this was a sacred place. When I recall those days, I know I saw and lived the kingdom of God at work. I saw the light overcoming the darkness. Millions and millions of people in this country and across the world in so many ways were doing the same thing. Finding ways to help and support not only the relief efforts, but our need as a nation to grieve and recover. Fred Rogers once told the story of how, when he was a little boy and would hear scary things on the news, his mother would say to him, Fred, look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping. And so today, let us remember the light that still shines in the darkness, which the darkness will never overcome.

SPEAKER_04 7:20

And to the source of that light, we lift our petitions and we pray, our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Let us pray. God of love, you are the light. No darkness can overcome the flame of hope that never goes out. Shine within our hearts today and illumine the path before us. And when we cannot see where you are leading, give us the grace to trust at the light of your presence. We ask through Christ our Lord. To you do I belong, O God. Into your hands I surrender my life. Pour out your spirit upon me, that I may love you perfectly and serve you faithfully until my soul rests in you. I almost fell off my chair when you said twenty-five years ago was 9-11. Sister Kathleen, wow, but what an experience it must have been volunteering as you did. Just seeing all of those people, all of the love and the goodness that brought you together for a common purpose and to help others. Oh my gosh, it gives me the shivers just thinking about it. There is no extinguishing that kind of light born out of love. Which, in fact, brings us to our song, This Concert Friday, as we go forth, an oldie but a goodie from the 70s that reminds us of that very message. So may God now hold us in blessing as we go forth in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There is no answer but love. So let's go forth and give it away today, and we'll see it tomorrow.

SPEAKER_03 12:20

And when you feel afraid when you've lost your weight And when you're home And when you're not gonna