Trinity 26 (observed), 2023

Children are “offered,” committed, handed over in Baptism. We hand our children over when we need help, when they need something we can’t do for them ourselves. You ever handed your child over to a surgeon? You hope you get him back, but there are no guarantees. In suffering and trial, God is teaching us to relinquish control, to hand over all our cares to Him….

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Our Lord's Gifts Are Not Garbage

While still a seminary student, I was assisting in the distribution of Holy Communion when I heard a little girl say something jarring. "Daddy, can I throw that in the trash?" The church used disposable plastic cups at Communion, and there was a basket near the altar rail to deposit the used cups. It was a natural question for this little girl to ask. Children like to participate in what the adults are doing, and the ritual action of the Sacrament leads to curiosity….

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