Some verses for retreat: Daily Mass Homily--Monday, June 8th, 2015

(Listen to this homily here).

            We have some great readings for our retreat today.  First, the introduction of St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians reminds us what a retreat is all about: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction…”  Retreat is meant to be a time set apart to be encouraged by God.

            Then in the Gospel we were reminded of the Beatitudes.  In the context of [our retreat from] The Joy of the Gospel by Pope Francis, is there another person who better fulfills the Beatitudes today?  Pope Francis refers to these often in this Apostolic Exhortation: “Blessed are the poor…blessed are the merciful…blessed are the peacemakers.”  Jesus wants us, too, to live such countercultural ways.

            But the line I would like to focus on this morning comes from the refrain of our Psalm: “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”  This, too, is what a retreat should be about.  Taste and see the many gifts God bestows on us!  This morning, we all drank coffee—that’s a gift we taste!  We had breakfast—with several varieties of meat.  We are in good health.  We own a car.  We are surrounded by the second book God wrote—creation.  Taste and see the goodness of the Lord!

            Continue to be set apart for the Lord today as we strive to grow in joy and our gratitude of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.