This one I wrote in our one-day break in the middle of Recital Week. Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The verse(s) I found reminded me of “The Little Drummer Boy” (I think the “Blessed are the pure in heart..” verse always has and always will—it’s the last line of the movie, stated very triumphantly), and I had heard a homily (sermon) about experiencing God in different ways that week or the week before. Putting unrelated things together is what I do—that’s always been how my mind works. No, not conspiracy theories or anything like that—just finding commonality in different things, especially things I love.

*Anecdote* Weeks ago, my sister and I were watching “The Golden Girls.” It was the episode where Rose’s stuffed bear gets taken by a girl who exploits Blanche’s desperation to get it back, and Sophia makes a friend at the boardwalk only to find out that he has to move away because he has a degenerative disease that leads to significant cognitive impairment and needs to live with family to receive the care he needs. My sister commented that when she first saw the episode, she was a little girl and remembers being sad that Rose might not get her teddy bear back, but now as an adult, she’s sad about Sophia’s friend. She basically talked about how perspective changes as you get older. I then thought (and shared with her) that she was actually sad about the same thing: somebody was losing a friend. Come to think of it: the “Little Drummer Boy” has a similar theme at the climax of the story…you’ll see.

Anyway, hopefully that anecdote put into context my whole “finding commonality” thing. Here’s the original post from 2023:

“👟 RSD 1135 ✅ Today’s verse is a little different—something great in exactly the verses 3-11 in the 5th chapter of Matthew, (so, today’s verse is Matthew 5:3-11). The excerpt I shared on Snapchat is also last line in “The Drummer Boy” movie (and it always makes me think of this movie): “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”—Matthew 5:8

I 10/10 recommend “The Little Drummer Boy.” Yes, it is a Christmas movie, but that’s only because the kid finds himself in Bethlehem during (what becomes) the first Christmas. It’s one of the OG classics with the claymation (I think the same people who made “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (which is about determination and compassion, btw))…maybe 45 minute runtime? Anyway, if you’re bored this summer, give it a go. It’s about the journey of a kid in extremely difficult circumstances who ends up finding God because he’s trying to help his friend—literally finds Jesus asleep in the manger. It’s a kid movie, but it’s really not though. Aaron (the kid’s name in the movie) is just trying to make it through a difficult life; he makes friends along the way, loves them dearly, and, out of that pure love and pureness in wanting to help his friend, he finds himself face to face with the Savior of the World. I’m thinking the point of the movie is that we all have the same opportunity every day (not in Bethlehem during Jesus’s birth, but stay with me), because any time we do our best to love others, anytime we try to help a friend, a stranger, or even someone we don’t like, we encounter God. Where love is, God is. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

While typing this, it made me think of Deacon Penning’s homily (sermon) about the different ways we experience God during Mass last weekend (I think). It’s really good, and homilies aren’t long. I’ll post the link in the comments (with the time stamp cause it’s the whole Mass on video). And, I won’t leave you hanging, here’s the totality of today’s verse(s): 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

    for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

    for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

    for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

    for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

    for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

    for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

    for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

    for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” 

— Matthew 5: 3-11 (the “Me” is Jesus who is speaking here)”