I presided at the 8:00am Mass and there was a good crowd there. The first reading was about Balaam, who was an unwilling prophet of the old Testament. I remember – but did not share in my homily, that one of the professors in the seminary when you gave a correct answer would say, “Even Balaam’s ass could give praise to God”. We all looked at him and finally someone had the courage to ask what that meant. He told us that God called Balaam to be his prophet and go and speak to the Israelites but Balaam didn’t want to speak to them, so he headed out of town on his donkey. At one point in the road, the donkey stopped and would not go forward. Balaam got off and tried to pull him and even beat with a stick. Finally the donkey spoke. He said, “Don’t you see that angel of the Lord standing in front of us with that sword. He doesn’t want to let us pass.” Then Balaam understood and turned around and went to preach. The professor’s point was that God can use anything – even a donkey – to teach us a truth, just as one of us had just made a statement that was profound and even God inspired and that just shows that God can us anything even us jackasses. I love that story and think of it so often when I am preparing a homily and it gives me confidence in The Spirit that it can use anything even me.
Heard confessions for the 8th, 7th, 6th, and 5th graders today. It was so much fun and a number of my students from last year came to me and it was great to see them.
This evening I went to the MacLennan family for dinner. I had Kate come to me last year for First Penance and I had gone to their back yard last May for her First Communion party. We’d been trying to have dinner together for s few months and we finally found a night convenient for everyone. The Mom and Dad, (Jen & Darren) and the children, Lindsay, who is in 5th grade, Kate, who is in 3rd grade, and Collin, who is in Kindergarten were just so delightful. We sat and talked and I got Kate to play piano for me and the others told me about all the activities they are into. They entertained me by having Elvis, whom I had met as a puppy, danced for us. It was quite a sight. I don’t know if good families realize what a gift they are to their priest and how much seeing the faith and love that exist there brings us joy. Blessed Sacrament is filled with such loving and involved families in the school and church. May God keep them all safe.
Had to work on my homily as tomorrow is the feast of St. John of the Cross.
I have the 8:00am Mass tomorrow and so I am off to bed.
I have used the Balaam’s ass example many times over the years since you shared it with me. I, too, find it a comfort!
Keep warm!