St. Theresa Catholic Church

November 18, 2018
In todays Gospel, Jesus compels his disciples to be watchful for the coming of the Son of Man, for they do not know the hour or the day that the Lord will appear. The urgency that Mark’s Gospel communicates our need to be vigilant and watchful can instill a sense of anxiety, a sense of doom and gloom.

However, our call to be watchful and attentive need not to be driven by fear. It can be lived out in gentle acts of noticing and attending to other peoples needs. Just think of the many different vocations that demand alert attentiveness in a spirit of gentleness. Teachers are attentive to the learning and struggles of each student. Nurses and doctors are attentive to the needs of their patients. Farmers are attentive to the changing seasons, to the crops, and to the lands. Poets and artists attend to the beauty and wonderment, the pain and grief of the world. There are various ways we human beings live out this call to watchfulness, and to attentiveness.

Throughout the Gospel of Mark, we witness Jesus attend to the bodily and spiritual needs of the people that he encounters. He is distressed by peoples suffering, moved with compassion to heal and nourish. He notices others, especially those who go unnoticed. In the gospel he notices the poor widow slip two coins into the treasury. This attentiveness leads Jesus to encounter suffering, deep suffering. It also offers opportunities for great joy and hope.

How do we cultivate attentiveness? One way is through a daily practice of gratitude. This week, we have a day that is set aside for gratitude. May Thanksgiving Day help us to be more alert, more present and more attentive to those who are in need. May our stance of Thanksgiving become a stance for attentiveness.

Please join us on the 1st Saturday and 2nd Sunday of each month for food and fellowship.   **Please note Saturday Social has moved weekends to accommodate the participation of more parishioners.

If anyone would like to be visited by Fr. Mark, please call the rectory at 903-845-2306. Also, if prayers are no longer needed, please let us know.