This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

We have a theme from Mother Church…see if you can pick up on it in today’s readings.

Ever wonder why we as Catholics eat fish on Friday?  Take a close look at today’s Gospel – on a Friday – to see how this tradition was started.  Really?  No, I figured a little humor on Friday wouldn’t hurt anyone.  What would be my advice for you today?  I am going to offer you from memory and word for word one of Fr. Siefert’s most lauded homilies every given…

“Today will be beautiful.  My homily is to get outside and enjoy God’s beauty.  That’s all I got.”  (As an aside, the first time I heard Fr. Siefert use this homily was a Saturday evening and my brother Jim was visiting us.  Jim mentioned before Mass started how they never got a homily back home in Odessa, MO and was looking forward to hearing one that evening…he got three sentences – 20 seconds.  While everyone else applauded, my quiet brother Jim yelled I want more, I want more.)  Today,  St. Louis will be sunny and sixty today – get outside and enjoy it.  Call in “well” to work; play golf; go watch you daughter play soccer.  To join in the theme Mother Church has given us…THIS IS THE DAY the Lord has made, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.

Do something great for our Lord today – REJOICE.

God’s will, not mine, be done.

Be not afraid; just have faith.

Jesus, I trust in You.

He must increase; I must decrease.