DAY 7

The Next Generation Is Sitting At The Table
By Carol Garcia

One day after Marcus shared his idea for a cousin spiritual blog with me, I had a dream that I was sitting at a long beautiful, rectangular table with all of you.  

Marcus, you were sitting in the middle of the table.  I was to your right followed by Luis at the end.  Olga, you were seated to Marcus' left followed by Sandra and then René on the other end.  Across from René sat JD.  Across from Sandra sat Chris followed by Lori facing Olga and then Art facing Marcus.  Lisa, you were facing me and next to you was Jim who was right across from Luis.

We were all laughing and talking in the dream when suddenly, Marcus stood up and started to sing.  We didn't stop talking immediately until we realized Marcus was not using words.  We became quiet and began to listen.  I gently put my hand on Marcus's shoulder to encourage him to continue.  We started to bow our heads as deep spiritual sounds coming from Marcus brought us all to order.

Reflecting on this dream today, I see the symbolism and the meaning of the twelve of us gathered at the table.  We are becoming the elders, the disciples for the next generation.  When I looked at everyone in my dream I could feel the wisdom and experience that we have all gained.  We have all been fools, criminals, villains, lovers, believers, daydreamers, gamblers, winners and losers.  I wish I could describe the pride I felt in our gathering.   I felt as if we all had finally arrived at THE table.

Each of us understood three essential truths: 

• God is Good.
• Love is all that matters.
• We all need each other. 

I pray that God grants us the ability to let go of things that no longer serve us.  Dear cousins, I believe we are sitting at the Lord's table.  We have all the collective wisdom that is needed to shape the next generation.   Let's do this with love and patience. 

My Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help each one of us reveal our souls, not only to one another, but to the world.  And Lord, continue to shape us in YOUR image.  AMEN.

Love you all,

Cousin Carol

Readings

Sunday December 27

COL 3:12-21

Brothers and sisters:

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,

heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

bearing with one another and forgiving one another, 

if one has a grievance against another; 

as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.

And over all these put on love, 

that is, the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, 

the peace into which you were also called in one body.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, 

as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, 

singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs 

with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, 

do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Responsorial Psalm PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,

who walks in his ways!

For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;

blessed shall you be, and favored.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

in the recesses of your home;

your children like olive plants

around your table.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Behold, thus is the man blessed

who fears the LORD.

The LORD bless you from Zion:

may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

R. Alleluia, alleluia. ACTS 16:14B

Open our hearts, O Lord,

to listen to the words of your Son.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 2:41-52

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast

of Passover, 

and when he was twelve years old, 

they went up according to festival custom.

After they had completed its days, as they were returning, 

the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, 

but his parents did not know it.

Thinking that he was in the caravan,

they journeyed for a day

and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 

but not finding him,

they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

After three days they found him in the temple, 

sitting in the midst of the teachers, 

listening to them and asking them questions, 

and all who heard him were astounded 

at his understanding and his answers.

When his parents saw him,

they were astonished, 

and his mother said to him, 

“Son, why have you done this to us?

Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”

And he said to them,

“Why were you looking for me?

Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

But they did not understand what he said to them.

He went down with them and came to Nazareth,

and was obedient to them; 

and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor

before God and man.