Living in the twenty-fist century we have instant and constant news and communication. We can easily find out local, national, and worldwide news. The challenge is to not get down or feel overwhelmed, but to recognize where our hope, strength, and nourishment lies. Our families and friends are so important to us to find the inspiration, joy, and purpose that we all hunger for. The ultimate source of our strength and hope is our faith in God.

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Hopes, dreams, demands, and expectations are all a part of our lives at times. One thing that becomes very clear is that we need the love and concern of one another. Even more, we need the love and concern of God. We see an urgent request made of Jesus in today’s Gospel (Matthew 15:21-28) where a Canaanite woman approaches Jesus with an urgent request, “have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” At first Jesus seems to ignore her but she persists, “Lord, help me.”

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Last week at supper in the rectory we were talking about how Sundays have changed in our lifetimes. Growing up in the fifties there were no stores open, only restaurants on Sundays. But as we have evolved into the society we are today Sundays are full of open stores, sports events, meetings, and a host of other activities. Add to that the presence of our cell phones where we can be led from one thing to another on our “day of rest.” Actually Sunday began as a day of rest so we can slow down and focus on the presence of God in our midst. The third Commandment is: Remember to keep holy the Sabbath. More than being a day of rest it is a day that was given to us by God Himself to spend time in His presence alone and with one another.

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Who do we feel comfortable enough with and trust enough to tell who we are and what we think? Today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration where Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain and revealed His heavenly glory to them: “After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.” (Matthew 17:1-3)

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