Dear Parishioners,
There’s an old saying that “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” In other words, life doesn’t always go as we plan. In today’s first reading (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16), David planned to build God a more suitable dwelling for the “ark of the covenant.” He thought the tent wasn’t good enough. However, God had other plans. David’s son, Solomon, would build a temple for God, and God would build a house for David, a spiritual kingdom that would stand firm forever.
In the gospel (Luke 1:26-38), Mary planned on having a virginal marriage with Joseph, but when God asked her to change her plans, she readily agreed to be the mother of our Lord. Thank goodness for Mary’s flexibility and openness to God’s plan.
There is a lesson in that for us. When problems, difficulties, or different situations arise, they are often invitations from God to change our plans and follow His plan instead. May we be as open as Mary.
- Fr. Carl
Rev. Stephen Hook is Pastor of the Pastorate of the Visitation which includes the Catholic Churches of Pasadena, Maryland: St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) and Our Lady of the Chesapeake (Lakeshore). He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. John Belinki, Deacon Howard Klohr, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
