Coming & returning, staying & leaving

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday in the Twenty-Second Week of Ordinary Time, Year I, 04 September 2023
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18   ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'>   Luke 4:16-30

Thank you dear God,
loving Father for coming to us
today,
for staying with us last night,
and remaining with us always.

Does it really matter 
whether you come or leave,
stay or return,
when you are 
perfect presence?

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

The early Christians
were so concerned 
who would come first
and next when Jesus returns;
many Christians today
do not care at all if
Christ comes like his
townsfolk!

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read … They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?”

Luke 4:16, 22

Dear God,
forgive us for being
on the extremes
on your coming
or on your returning
for that does not matter
because you are with us
always; you are presence!
Make us realize 
we must be more concerned
not with your coming nor 
returning but more with 
our leaving!
Let us confront that
crucial question of
each day 
when you come
and return
and stay with us:
are we ready to go
to you?
with you?
Amen.