For Monsignor Manny Gabriel's birthday, Fr. D (I did not quite catch his name) was tasked to give the homily. He started off with a quote from "The Breakfast Club":
"When you grow up, your heart dies."—Allison
Then he proceeded with an eloquent testimony to Monsi Manny's life of selfless service and love ... which I would very much want to get a copy of, but only managed to capture a few rough snippets.
I realized, that one of the things which distinguish children from adults is their lack of sense of danger. They are FEARLESS. Of course!, you say. As we grow older, we gain knowledge about a lot of things and we come to depend upon that knowledge - even though we know how limited it is . Then our faith dwindles and paranoia sets in. This inevitably limits us ... because, at some point, we stop believing. When we stop believing, the miracles stop ... or we stop seeing the miracles. We lose that sense of awe and wonder which gives us the courage to take leaps of faith. When we are unable to take leaps of faith, we miss out on the chance to feel the rush of falling and the exhilaration of flying --- which pump the heart.
It is not growing up that kills the heart. It's losing faith.
PS:
Forgiving, by the way, is a leap of faith ... as is any form of letting go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuX-ls_GR54
"When you grow up, your heart dies."—Allison
Then he proceeded with an eloquent testimony to Monsi Manny's life of selfless service and love ... which I would very much want to get a copy of, but only managed to capture a few rough snippets.
- Do not let your heart die.
- Despite all the pain and difficulties, he maintained a heart willing to forgive and ready to love again.
- We are plagued with fear of darkness and of the unknown. Have the child-like faith to plunge forward.
- Have the courage to face both the lights and shadows of life.
- Marry the old and the young ... grow old in years and wisdom, but remain young at heart and in faith.
Immediately after Mass, one of my BFF's came upon a nice quote and tagged me. Lo! and behold, it spoke of fear and forgiveness. I was beginning to see a trend here.
I realized, that one of the things which distinguish children from adults is their lack of sense of danger. They are FEARLESS. Of course!, you say. As we grow older, we gain knowledge about a lot of things and we come to depend upon that knowledge - even though we know how limited it is . Then our faith dwindles and paranoia sets in. This inevitably limits us ... because, at some point, we stop believing. When we stop believing, the miracles stop ... or we stop seeing the miracles. We lose that sense of awe and wonder which gives us the courage to take leaps of faith. When we are unable to take leaps of faith, we miss out on the chance to feel the rush of falling and the exhilaration of flying --- which pump the heart.
It is not growing up that kills the heart. It's losing faith.
PS:
Forgiving, by the way, is a leap of faith ... as is any form of letting go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuX-ls_GR54
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