Dear parishioners & visitors,

I have always loved today’s Gospel. I think it is a message of courage and perseverance. The Cannanite woman perseveres in seeking what she needs from the Lord and shows her belief in the Lord. About 30 years ago I found an inspirational picture that says, “Perseverance: The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather is a lack of will.” I bought that when I was working on Wall Street and was rising up the corporate ladder. I had it on my dresser and would read it every morning before I would go to work to inspire me. Today, I still have it on my dresser and still read it often. My measure of what success is today, of course, is different for me than my measure of what success is those many years ago. But it makes me think and want to reflect upon: What should our measure of success be? What is success in living out our faith to love God and to love others in how we impact the people God puts in our lives? Success really does come down to our will. It is when we seek our will to fulfill God’s will for our lives that we find success – we succeed in being a part of God’s plan. There can never be any greater success than that in our life! I share this prayer I found called Always Do God’s Holy Will:

Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of all. I surrender myself completely to You. Take my thoughts, my words, my actions, and my desires. Purify them, sanctify them, and align them with Your divine plan. May I find joy in serving You and others, knowing that in doing so, I fulfill Your holy will. Amen.

Yours in Christ,

Father Dan