Ordinary Time 
Pause
Whenever the water struck a stone it had something to say,
and the water itself, and even the mosses trailing under the water.
And slowly, very slowly, it became clear to me what they were saying.
Said the river I am part of holiness.
And I too, said the stone. And I too, whispered the moss beneath the water.
Mary Oliver in “At the River Clarion” (Evidence, 2009)
What is God saying to you today? Through whom or what is God speaking?
Listen
One day Jesus was standing beside Lake Gennesaret when the crowd pressed in around him to hear God’s word. Jesus saw two boats sitting by the lake. The fishermen had gone ashore and were washing their nets. Jesus boarded one of the boats, the one that belonged to Simon, then asked him to row out a little distance from the shore. Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
Luke 5:1-3
Think
Have you ever felt like a crowd of people pressed in around you?
Maybe they wanted you to do something. Or they wanted you to be a certain way. Or they were waiting on you to answer a question or make a decision.
No matter how old you are, there will always be a crowd of people. They could be family, friends, or strangers. Most of the time, the crowds are manageable. Other times, it will feel like the pressure is coming nonstop and from all sides. Like it is forcing you to do things you do not want to do. Like it is shaping you into someone you do not want to be.
Jesus gets it. Even the son of God felt the pressure of the crowds, of people’s demands. Jesus’ response was to take a boat ride. Jesus gave himself some space. Out on the water, Jesus reconnected with himself and with God. And it was then that Jesus spoke his truth to the crowd.
Patrick Kangrga
Pray
God, when the pressure of the crowd is too much, help me to recognize that I need to step away.
Grant me spaces and places to reconnect to you and to who you created me to be.
And give me strength to speak my truth and your truth to the world.
Amen.
Go
Where there’s water on Earth, you find life as we know it.
Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist
Spend time in the places and with the people who are your waters and life.
Seek out new waters and new life.
Be life to others.
