Daily Thought: We are quickly brought back to the reality of everyday life today. We celebrate the feast of St. Stephen the first martyr. We hear the story of his death in the first reading. We are made aware of his faith and St. Paul is introducted to us as Saul, as one who is persecuting the church. In the Gospel we hear Jesus' warning to the disciples as to the difficulties of the road ahead. But they are not to worry because God will be with them always.
In some ways it seems strange to celebrate Christmas and then the feast of a martyr. Wouldn't be nicer to stay in the glow of Christmas? Well yes it would but the world often does not let us stay in the glow of goodness and we need to be ready for whatever comes our way. Just think of the graced moments that you have had in life. They don't last, they are often fleeting moments. However we store them in our memories for those other moments in our lives when we struggle. They are the foundation of our faith, they help us to live within the reality of life.
As Jesus tells the disciples today not to fear because God will always be with them. All they need to do is trust. We know from the celebration of Christmas that God is truly with us and from today's feast that when things get tough God will be there too! We also learn today to hope in what seems to be the impossible, after all Saul persecuted but today we honor him as St. Paul one of the greatest Apostles! The journey goes on and each day, like Stephen, Paul and many others before us we seek to give our spirit over to God.
Daily Prayer: Loving God, help us to trust in your presence this day especially when life seems to be against us. Help us to turn over our spirits to you. Help us to live out what we pray even if it means loving in some way those who make life's difficult for us. Though this Christmas Season we continue to prayer for families in grief; for little ones whose lives were too short; for teachers, administrators and responders who put others first; for firefighters who risk their lives; for a community that must find a way to live; for all of us who seek a world of lasting peace! O God, be our rock of strength and refuge today and always! Amen!
Runner's Thoughts: Remember every step you take moves you forward, every step becomes a new encounter with the presence of God. So run today aware of God's presence all around you.
I hope everyone had a wonderful celebration of Christmas. We did here in Indianapolis however today we are in the midst of a snow storm. What a difference a day makes! I hope the glow of Christmas will travel with you today. Many blessing amd much peace and to those who are not feeling well, especially two little girls in Shelby, NC, I send along prayers of healing. Peace in the Child Jesus...Fr. Paul
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