For the Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

This is me with part of my family at the Fourth of July in Ticonderoga - they - not me - had just finished being part of the mile run.

The week started out with rain and rain around here - but ended with sunshine - starting to dry out around here - summer must be here -Sunday Masses are filled with old friends who have summer places on the lakes.

This Sunday - is dedicated to our becoming missionaries of the Lord - of reaching out to helping others in the Spirit of Our Savior - the Gospel reading - from Mark - tells us of Jesus sending out the apostles two by two to take the message to the people of Galilee. The message for us is that we are also called and sent to change the world - we are God's instruments - this is our dignity and our responsibility. Chrsitianity is never something to be kept to ourselves - we must be active - not passive in our following of Jesus - while only a few will be called to preach the Gospel - all are expected to witness to the Gospel by their lives and readiness to help those in need.

So I plan to use two stories this weekend - I have used them often in the past - but they are good stories - so they will joggle a few memories - even for you - their message continues to be a good one.

A man, passing through town - is shocked to see a young boy begging - he is dressed in rags and looks terrible, even sick - later the man - while visiting a nearby Church - berates God - in his prayer he shouts at the Lord - "God, why don't you do something for this child?" - and the response comes back to him from the Lord - "I have done something - I made you."

The other story comes from the Korean Way - they say it is true - even if it is not, it is a great story - during an attack on a city by American troops - a large statue of Jesus - outside the parish Church - is damaged badly - broken up into many pieces - some of the soldiers noticed what had happened and decided to volunteer to pick up the many pieces and try to put the statue together for the priest - they did very well in their restoration - but couldn't find the hands of Jesus - so they offered to pay to have someone create hands to finish the statue - the priest thought for a moment - and then decided not to replace the hands - and instead - he prepared a sign for the pedestal - which read - "Friend, lend me your hands."

Jesus speaks to each of us today - "Friend, lend me your hands."

LET US PRAY

Almighty God, my Father - I turn to you this day - seeking your wisdom and guidance - help me to recognize tis very day - where you need me - where I can make a difference - where I can do some good for someone in need - with your help I will truly become your hands and bring your love and help to someone in need. This is my prayer. Amen.

Please join me as we say together the Lord's Prayer.