How was your summer? That is the refrain running through our minds
with the beginning of school just around the corner. Whatcha (what did you)
do? Whatcha see? What makes you smile
just remembering? What broke your heart?
In all of this, how did God’s hand touch you, change you?
I have a confession to make: I just read for the first time Winnie the Pooh after being intrigued by the commercials for the
new movie, Christopher Robin.
What a delightful series of stories of a
simpler time. Christopher Robin and Pooh are full of wonder of the world around
them. They are thoughtful, kind and
big-hearted. Present to the present
moment. Ah, to be like Pooh and relish the now.
And if things get bothersome, hum a little tune, think up a poem, or
just ponder.
The characters in the Pooh stories are the
exact opposite of what Jesus warns about in today’s Gospel: “From within people
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, greed, malice, deceit, indecency, envy,
slander, pride, folly. All these evils
come from within and they defile.” Mk 7:21-23
Would that we all would take our cue from Pooh and friends and be a blessing to one another by enjoying the adventures of living in the now, being selfless, humble, generous, modest, and having the spontaneity to say, “I love you,” just because. Let us carve out times in our days to relish each other and each moment, for those are the times when God’s hand touches us the most.