đđ«đ€ Christâs peace be with you. This past weekend I was able to spend a day with my youngest daughter to celebrate her birthday. Maybe itâs because we both have October birthdays and she learned by watching me, but there are certain birthday/fall traditions that we shared, a corn maze adventure, the beautiful fall colors, warm apple cider, spice cake in the shape of a pumpkin with a jack-o-lantern face made out of Reeseâs Pieces. It all makes my heart smile thinking about it, but itâs not just this moment that Iâm smiling about. Itâs years of shared moments, celebrations, and memories. Sure, our day together would have been fun, even if we didnât have the history of our shared birthday/fall adventures but the history, the traditions make it that much better. Itâs like sitting in front of a campfire or wrapping up in a warm blanket on a chilly day. Traditions and shared memories are like the feeling of coming home after a journey or being wrapped in a big hug without a word being spoken. Can you feel it? With the needed social distancing in our world today, itâs easy to feel a little lost without some of our ânormalâ tradition. Like me, some of you may be getting a little too used to online church services. I greatly appreciate that they are available, but I have found myself from time to time becoming a bit lazy and not making the effort to actually go to church to celebrate Mass. Itâs more comfortable in my house. The temperature isnât to warm or cold. I donât have to take the time to drive there. I donât have to worry if someone is sitting in âmy pewâ. Oh come onâŠyou know what Iâm talking about. But no matter how easy itâs becoming to talk myself into watching Mass online, it always feels a little empty. Itâs been a tradition from the moment The Father created Adam that we gather to share in the Lordâs presence and goodness and praise and worship together with Him and others. There is definitely something missing when the people of God lose physical contact. Iâm sure if youâve ever watched a fire youâve seen how a glowing ember set off by itself gives off little heat and quickly dies out. As opposed to the heat a pile of embers gives off and the fact that they keep each other burning strong and bright. Donât allow your ember to get too far from the fire for too long. We all need the presence of Godâs community to help keep us burning strong and bright for Him. And others need you to help fan their embers, encouraging them to burst back into flames. Donât get too comfortable in a solitary world. It wonât matter how bright your light shines if no one is able to see it and share in its warmth. Keep your social distance, but get out and feel the warmth of the Lord that youâve been missing. Youâll be happy you did. Bless others and be blessed.
#SEUWorship â Fire In My Bones
Third Day Devotions 