“BALM in Gilead” is one of my favorite hymns. Here is the link to a rendition by Debra Liv Johnson on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6__8XvF7kE

This beautiful hymn reminds me of God’s healing presence in the midst of our need for renewal and restoration. May we be the BALM God calls us to be in a world that is wounded and broken. May we continue to bring the BALM of God’s restoration to all those who have asked us for prayers for health, and wholeness in body, mind, and spirit. Lord make me a channel of your peace!

We enter into RESPECT Life month, the month of October, praying for the end of abortion as well as the RESPECT of ALL Life from conception to natural death. May we treat one another with the utmost RESPECT recognizing our inherent worth and dignity as beloved children of God.

We BELONG to God. We BELONG to each other. As we celebrate and continue to build our community, may we strive to create a space where love permeates, and everyone BELONGS in the Lord. If you would like to hear Fr. Greg Boyle’s talk from last Tuesday, you can access it here: http://www.lacatholicpb.org/

Happy Feast of St. Finbar!