Always leave room for dessert

On Monday (Labor Day), I began my homily by stating the one rule I remember from growing up: “always leave room for dessert”.  When I heard this from my mom or dad, it meant that there was something special coming for dessert.  As full as my plate of dinner might have gotten, I always left room for dessert.  Solid rule haha! 

I use that saying on Labor Day to remind us in the midst of a constant full plate of work to always leave room, essentially, for the Lord’s work. People are always so busy with the beautiful “work of creation”.  This would be anything ranging from caring for your children to brushing your teeth.  It means continuing the work of Creation God started and taking care of His creation.  The Book of Genesis calls it “tilling the earth”.  It’s all the natural work we do in our homes, careers, families, friends, and our own bodies and minds.  Plates are full ubiquitously it seems.   

 Always leave room for dessert means to save some room for the “work of salvation”.  This means doing work for souls starting with our own. In yesterday’s Gospel at Mass, Jesus is praying to the Father about who the first priests should be. Jesus was a busy man, and He found time to pray each day. We need to do the same.  Daily Mass is a great way to include the work of salvation in our daily routine.  It’s at Mass (and in all the sacraments) that we celebrate salvation!  Doing the work of salvation is about inviting people to the sacraments, talking to your children or others about Christ and faith, participating in Bible studies or small groups, or just helping someone who is having a problem.  Leaving room for spiritual dessert means leaving some room for the Lord. It’s the best part of our meal!