"The Pump of Blessing" Apr 21, 2023

The Pump of Blessing

There was a man who was lost in the desert, and he had no water to quench his thirst. He was tired and exhausted, and his throat was parched. He longed for a cool drink of water. Looking into the distance, he saw an old shack, so with the little strength left within him, he made his way there. 

When he opened the door, he found a jar of crystal-clear water sitting on the floor next to a pump. Reaching down to pick up the jar, he noticed a handwritten sign next to it. The sign said: “Use this water to prime the pump out back. When you are satisfied, refill it, and leave it for the next person who will pass this way.”

Now he had to make a decision. What if he followed the directions on the sign and there was no water in the well? He had to decide to either meet the present need now or invest and take the chance that deep down there was so much more.

Giving to God’s work is a method of priming the pump of God’s blessing in your life. You have a choice. You can take the little that God has given you now and consume it for yourself. Or you can use it to prime something that’s offering so much more. It all boils down to whether you believe there’s something underneath the ground!

In this time of financial struggle, remember that God blesses us so that we can bless others—and by doing so we open ourselves up for receiving a greater blessing. Divine Mercy Parish is making an impact because of your gifts. As one individual wrote to me:

“I first heard you on a Podcast when you were the pastor at St. Benilde. My toddler son used to ask, ‘Why is that priest yelling at Jesus?’ I’ve listened to you via YouTube ever since your homilies were made available during the pandemic. I’d occasionally send a homily to my husband or friend but mostly just enjoyed my weekly routine with your message on my phone in my kitchen while I packed lunches for my kids and got ready for work. God is using you mightily in our lives and in our marriage up here in the suburbs of Chicago.”

So, as you consider where to invest to “prime the pump,” please keep Divine Mercy Parish in mind.

Fr. Robert T. Cooper, Pastor
Divine Mercy Parish and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School