This past week I have spent time in several schools and alongside trusted colleagues. I always enjoy the chance to be with my co-workers, whether it be on the road or when we find ourselves in the office at the same time. Between work and home, the fresh start to a new school year brings warmth and comfort, and the people who make this possible – my kids and fellow educators- are a light to me. Today I share several reflections from my daily reader, Give Us This Day, along with a beautiful recent concert by artist Sarah McLachlan.

Blessings on your week ahead!

Righteous Justice – Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez

For those who gave gone astray, we are called first to pray (for them), and second to pursue righteous justice. The latter, too, is a deep act of love because justice compels the wayward to confront the harm they’ve done and invites repentance. In this way, our struggle for justice makes visible God’s unrelenting love for the poor and marginalized. Our hope is that one day we might all rejoice when those who have gone astray remember God’s love- and love all people as God’s children once again.

The Spirit of Forgiveness – Fr. Russell A. Bergman

The spirit of forgiveness lives within us through God’s gratuitous grace and flows from our hearts each time we pardon generously.

Generosity Beyond Measure- Bob Hurd

“The last will be first and the first will be last” ends this passage. If you think this means winners and losers trade places, you would be wrong. The grumblers got it right: “You have made them equal to us.” In God’s kingdom, an equality beyond our normal human reckoning prevails. At day’s end, everyone gets to drink equally from life-giving streams.