Daily Thoughts: In today's scriptures I find two interesting thoughts. The first centers around Jesus' conversation with Nathanael. Jesus see Nathanael as a truthful, genuine person, he had no duplicity, in other words "what you see is what you get." What Nathanael says is what he does. For Jesus that is refreshing, if we could encounter it today it would be refreshing for us also.
In our world it seems that saying the right thing at the right time is the norm it is very hard to find a person with duplicity. Very few people say what they really mean. We say what we think people want to here because it gets us power, influence, authority and status. I believe we really want to be truthful but at times if we are there is so much to loose.
Yet over and over again in the scriptures we are reminded that truth is what sets us free. It might not get us power, authority, influence, wealth and status in this life but this life is not the only thing we are living for, we are living for a life of eternal love. Truth, authenticity, genuineness are the hallmarks of Jesus' mission and ministry, yes they took him to the Cross but they also took him to the Resurrection.
In the first reading today, John tells us that our journey of faith will not be easy, that we will be hated. However, we shouldn't fear, we shouldn't worry if we make the journey as people with love in our hearts. It is another way of saying that love as we see it and encounter it in Christ casts out fear!
Thus, we are challenged today to live as people without duplicity, to live as people whose actions match our words, to live as genuine people of truth with love in our hearts. The journey will not be easy in fact sometimes it will be down right difficult but the love of God, others and self that we carry in our heart will cast out all our fear!
Daily Prayer: O God of Truth and Love, grace us with the strength to live a genuine life. In those times of struggle and difficulty when we think of wandering from your truth remind us of your everlasting love that casts out all fear. Help us always to cry out to you with hope and joy! Amen!
We continue to pray during this Christmas Season for families in grief; for little ones whose lives were too short; for teachers, administrators and responders who put others first; for a community that must find a way to live; for all of us who seek a world of lasting peace! Amen!
Runner's Thoughts: As you run today let your run become a sacred act in which you run through pain, tiredness, aches and cold not alone but with God.
Have a great Saturday everyone, hopefully you will find sometime in the busyness of life to rest, relax and just enjoy life for a moment! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
PS Just to let you know we are working on a new web site that hopefully will be up and running soon so stay tuned for something new!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
January 4th Daily Thoughts - 01/04/2013
Daily Thoughts: There is a very important question asked in today's Gospel, "What are you looking for?" Jesus asks this question of the two disciples of John who are following him, one of whom we learn later is Andrew, Peter's brother. However, back to the question, "What are you looking for?" It is a question that perhaps each of us should ask ourselves each and every morning before our day begins.
What are we looking for today? Some might answer this question very quickly and confidently, peace, security, love, relationships, family, wealth, power, forgiveness, etc. while for others the answer might be difficult; I don't know; I am not sure; I will never find it!. There are many things we want, some are simple and obtainable while other things are more complex and they often seem out of reach. For the two disciples in the Gospel the answer was simple they want to see where Jesus was staying. perhaps the question and answer for us is equally as simple, deep down all of us want to see God in our life. We want to be in the presence of God as we live our life each day.
With John's recommendation the two disciples sensed something special about Jesus. As people of faith directed by Mary, John, Peter, Paul and many others we sense something special about Jesus, we want to know where he stays. We want to be in his presence. We might say that is what this New Evangelization, this Year of Faith is all about. It is about putting ourselves in the presence of God as we live each day of our life!
So let's answer the question as we begin this day, "What are we looking for?" Hopefully the answer is Christ, finding the presence of Christ in our lives!
Daily Prayer: O God of the present moment, help us to look for you today in every person we meet, in every place we go, in every situation we encounter and within ourselves. Once we find your presence give us the grace to remain there and the courage to bring others into your presence to meet you. With your presence blessing us with a sincere faith, a lasting hope and a welcoming love...for we are the generation that seeks the face of you our God! Amen! -- We continue to pray during this Christmas Season for families in grief; for little ones whose lives were too short; for teachers, administrators and responders who put others first; for a community that must find a way to live; for all of us who seek a world of lasting peace! Amen!
Runner's Thought: Running is a lot like life, sometimes it is energizing and sometimes it isn't but it always has meaning!
It is Friday and after the holidays it is probably a welcome sight to most of you. A weekend hopefully to rest a little. Many blessings to get you through a Friday to the weekend! May you find God in all that you enounter today. Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
What are we looking for today? Some might answer this question very quickly and confidently, peace, security, love, relationships, family, wealth, power, forgiveness, etc. while for others the answer might be difficult; I don't know; I am not sure; I will never find it!. There are many things we want, some are simple and obtainable while other things are more complex and they often seem out of reach. For the two disciples in the Gospel the answer was simple they want to see where Jesus was staying. perhaps the question and answer for us is equally as simple, deep down all of us want to see God in our life. We want to be in the presence of God as we live our life each day.
With John's recommendation the two disciples sensed something special about Jesus. As people of faith directed by Mary, John, Peter, Paul and many others we sense something special about Jesus, we want to know where he stays. We want to be in his presence. We might say that is what this New Evangelization, this Year of Faith is all about. It is about putting ourselves in the presence of God as we live each day of our life!
So let's answer the question as we begin this day, "What are we looking for?" Hopefully the answer is Christ, finding the presence of Christ in our lives!
Daily Prayer: O God of the present moment, help us to look for you today in every person we meet, in every place we go, in every situation we encounter and within ourselves. Once we find your presence give us the grace to remain there and the courage to bring others into your presence to meet you. With your presence blessing us with a sincere faith, a lasting hope and a welcoming love...for we are the generation that seeks the face of you our God! Amen! -- We continue to pray during this Christmas Season for families in grief; for little ones whose lives were too short; for teachers, administrators and responders who put others first; for a community that must find a way to live; for all of us who seek a world of lasting peace! Amen!
Runner's Thought: Running is a lot like life, sometimes it is energizing and sometimes it isn't but it always has meaning!
It is Friday and after the holidays it is probably a welcome sight to most of you. A weekend hopefully to rest a little. Many blessings to get you through a Friday to the weekend! May you find God in all that you enounter today. Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
Thursday, January 3, 2013
January 3rd Daily Thoughts - 01/03/2013
Daily Thoughts: Today we celebrate the feast of The Most Holy Name of Jesus and our scriptures, especially our Gospel, once again focus us on our relationship with Jesus. What might we take always from the celebration of this feast and our scriptures today?
For me the focus today is on the Name of Jesus. I have always found a name to be important. I am very proud to be named after my father and I think one of my sadness's of life is that I never had the chance to continue the tradition and name a son, Paul Raymond. I also struggle with names, especially remembering the names of people that I have met. I am in awe of people who can and do remember names. Names identify people, names honor people, names define people and place people in the context of history and life.
I have always wondered why over the centuries Jesus' name became such a focal point of disrespect. Often when I lead young people in an examination of conscience before the Sacrament of Reconciliation I will talk about how our words often hurt. I ask those present this, "How would we like it if every time something went wrong, every time someone got angry, every time someone expressed anger, they would use our name?" The answer is always a universal, "I would not like it at all!" Yet, isn't that what we do with Jesus, with God? Why is that? What causes us to say "God dammit!" or "Jesus Christ!" with anger and disrespect?
As I said yesterday if we know ourselves we have a better chance of knowing God. If we respect ourselves we have a much better chance of respecting God and others! I am sure all of us value our name. It is important to us to be respected for who we are. It is important for us to be known by our name. It is important for our name not to be disrespected. Likewise it is important for God, for Jesus to be respected too! As we live this day let's make a conscious effort to honor, respect and cherish The Name of Jesus! When we use it let us use it to grace life with hope and love not fill it with anger!
Every morning and evening I begin prayer in the Passionist tradition by praying, "At the name of Jesus every knee must bend in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, the Father." It keeps me focused, perhaps it can for you too!
Daily Prayer: Eternal God, we pray this day that at the name of your loving Son Jesus every knee must bend in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of you our God, and Father. Help us always to honor your names and in speaking them bring your grace, hope, love and not anger to our world! In the name of Jesus we continue to pray for families in grief; for little ones whose lives were too short; for teachers, administrators and responders who put others first; for a community that must find a way to live; for all of us who seek a world of lasting peace! That one day we will all be called God's children...Amen!
Runner's Thought: If you run in the cold today think of it as not an obstacle but as an energy, a grace enlivening you and sending you forward!
It is cold, but the sun is shining here in Pelham this morning. I hope wherever you are the sun is shining and this day will be blessed with many good people, good experiences and much love. Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
For me the focus today is on the Name of Jesus. I have always found a name to be important. I am very proud to be named after my father and I think one of my sadness's of life is that I never had the chance to continue the tradition and name a son, Paul Raymond. I also struggle with names, especially remembering the names of people that I have met. I am in awe of people who can and do remember names. Names identify people, names honor people, names define people and place people in the context of history and life.
I have always wondered why over the centuries Jesus' name became such a focal point of disrespect. Often when I lead young people in an examination of conscience before the Sacrament of Reconciliation I will talk about how our words often hurt. I ask those present this, "How would we like it if every time something went wrong, every time someone got angry, every time someone expressed anger, they would use our name?" The answer is always a universal, "I would not like it at all!" Yet, isn't that what we do with Jesus, with God? Why is that? What causes us to say "God dammit!" or "Jesus Christ!" with anger and disrespect?
As I said yesterday if we know ourselves we have a better chance of knowing God. If we respect ourselves we have a much better chance of respecting God and others! I am sure all of us value our name. It is important to us to be respected for who we are. It is important for us to be known by our name. It is important for our name not to be disrespected. Likewise it is important for God, for Jesus to be respected too! As we live this day let's make a conscious effort to honor, respect and cherish The Name of Jesus! When we use it let us use it to grace life with hope and love not fill it with anger!
Every morning and evening I begin prayer in the Passionist tradition by praying, "At the name of Jesus every knee must bend in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, the Father." It keeps me focused, perhaps it can for you too!
Daily Prayer: Eternal God, we pray this day that at the name of your loving Son Jesus every knee must bend in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of you our God, and Father. Help us always to honor your names and in speaking them bring your grace, hope, love and not anger to our world! In the name of Jesus we continue to pray for families in grief; for little ones whose lives were too short; for teachers, administrators and responders who put others first; for a community that must find a way to live; for all of us who seek a world of lasting peace! That one day we will all be called God's children...Amen!
Runner's Thought: If you run in the cold today think of it as not an obstacle but as an energy, a grace enlivening you and sending you forward!
It is cold, but the sun is shining here in Pelham this morning. I hope wherever you are the sun is shining and this day will be blessed with many good people, good experiences and much love. Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
January 2nd Thoughts - 01/02/2013
Daily Thoughts: Our readings today focus on Christology, who Christ is for us. The saints we celebrate today St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen have a smile on their faces as they spent a lot of time talking, writing and defining Christology. The humanness of Christ and the divinity of Christ, perhaps said differently the mystery of Christ. Who exactly is Christ in our life? How have we come to know him?
For me one of the interesting aspects of our readings is not so much the presentation of Christology, who Christ is but it is the reality of coming to know Christ for ourselves. John the Baptist shows us the way, to know Christ we have to know ourselves, know who we are and who we are not. John knows himself and in knowing who he is, he is able to know Christ. John the Evangelist tells his community to remember who they are and in doing so they will remember and know Christ. It is an age old process, it is the foundation of our journey of faith, to know ourselves is to know God!
Perhaps in these early days of a New Year it might be good to pause and do a little self reflection, not in a narcissistic was, but in an honest way. Who are we? What to be value? What do we believe? What are our struggles? What are our faults and failings? What are our joys and hopes? As we once again come to recognize and and know ourselves, we will once again come to recognize and know our God!
Daily Prayer: O God, grants us the humility of knowing ourselves as we truly are and thus coming to know you better. Help us to see your presence in our daily lives so that your gift of hope remains alive within us. May we past your hope on to those whom we meet today. We continue though out this Christmas Season to pray for families in grief; for little ones whose lives were too short; for teachers, administrators and responders who put others first; for a community that must find a way to live; for all of us who seek a world of lasting peace! And that we may truly see the saving power of you our God today and always...Amen!
Runner's Thought: Run with the purpose of becoming a friend of God and you will never run alone!
Blessings on everyone today especially if you are traveling or heading back to work after a Christmas break! May your day be rich in the presence of God. Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
For me one of the interesting aspects of our readings is not so much the presentation of Christology, who Christ is but it is the reality of coming to know Christ for ourselves. John the Baptist shows us the way, to know Christ we have to know ourselves, know who we are and who we are not. John knows himself and in knowing who he is, he is able to know Christ. John the Evangelist tells his community to remember who they are and in doing so they will remember and know Christ. It is an age old process, it is the foundation of our journey of faith, to know ourselves is to know God!
Perhaps in these early days of a New Year it might be good to pause and do a little self reflection, not in a narcissistic was, but in an honest way. Who are we? What to be value? What do we believe? What are our struggles? What are our faults and failings? What are our joys and hopes? As we once again come to recognize and and know ourselves, we will once again come to recognize and know our God!
Daily Prayer: O God, grants us the humility of knowing ourselves as we truly are and thus coming to know you better. Help us to see your presence in our daily lives so that your gift of hope remains alive within us. May we past your hope on to those whom we meet today. We continue though out this Christmas Season to pray for families in grief; for little ones whose lives were too short; for teachers, administrators and responders who put others first; for a community that must find a way to live; for all of us who seek a world of lasting peace! And that we may truly see the saving power of you our God today and always...Amen!
Runner's Thought: Run with the purpose of becoming a friend of God and you will never run alone!
Blessings on everyone today especially if you are traveling or heading back to work after a Christmas break! May your day be rich in the presence of God. Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
A New Year's Thoughts - 01/01/2013
Daily Thoughts: Happy New Year everyone! I have to admit this January 1st is a little overwhelming for me. I am beginning a calendar year knowing that by its end I will be 60 years old! I know that age is biology or physiology but it is also a state of mind and my mind is going to need some time to arrive at 60, so I am glad it has 11 months to do so!
What caught my attention today as we here in our small little community celebrated the Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God, was not anything directly from the readings but something I ran across yesterday and it stuck with me.
For a large part of the world yesterday was just New Year's Eve and the focus of most people was celebrating the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013. Perhaps if you are a political person you followed the last minute struggle of our government to not go over the "fiscal cliff" whatever that means. I am sure there were other things one people's minds but for a small group of people mainly people who lived or grew up in Pittsburgh during the 1950's, 1960's and early 1970's, or die hard baseball fans from that period yesterday was a day to stop and remember. I was 40 years ago yesterday that Roberto Clemente died on a mission of mercy taking relief supplies from Puerto Rio to Nicaragua. Clemente played right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates for 18 years from 1955 until 1972. He was one of the great players of the game and if you grew up following the Pirates as I did, he was the greatest!
His legacy goes far beyond the baseball field. He was a man dedicated to people, he was a man dedicated to keeping hope alive in people. He worked tirelessly on and off the field and when he could have been home enjoying life and the fruits of his baseball career he was not. He was loading a plane with supplies to help others. Clemente was a great baseball player but an even great human being.
Now how does all of this fit with our feast today? Well one of Clemente's sayings that has always struck me was tweeted a few times yesterday, "Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on earth." It is a saying that has stayed with me from the first time I hear it. Almost every time I have been confronted with a decision about life I ask myself, "Is this an opportunity to make a difference?" Sometimes I make the right choice but other times I know I have wasted my time and not been the person I could have been!
All throughout Advent and now into the Christmas season we are reminded of the story of Mary, a simple woman, blessed, graced by God who when confronted with an opportunity to make a difference in the world did, not just once but over and over again. At every turn of life Mary took the opportunity not just to live through but to make a difference, not to waste time but to bring about the loving presence of God. She did it as the Mother of God, she did it as wife to Joseph, she it as mother to the beloved disciple and she does it as Mother of the Church for us today.
It might seem odd connecting a baseball player like Roberto Clemente and Mary, but each of them had a deep desire to help others, to make a difference, to keep alive the gift of hope. Perhaps they become two people who can challenge us as we begin a New Year to look at each choice, each decision, each experience of our life in 2013 as an opportunity to make a difference and thus not waste our time here on earth!
Daily Prayer: O God of wonder and mystery, author of all life, enliven us with your grace to see each moment in life as an opportunity, an opportunity to have faith, to hope, to love and make a difference. Bless us with the spirit of Mary, whom we celebrate this day as the Mother of Christ, that we might always respond to life with hope alive in our hearts! As we have been we continue though out this Christmas Season to pray 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! May you always bless us in your mercy...Amen!
Runner's Thought: Happy New Year runners, may the wind always be at your back and may you run each day with purpose, meaning and the presence of God!
New Year's blessings to all! I hope your celebration last night was fun and safe. I saw the ball drop in Times Square from the comfort of our TV room here in Pelham and I did it alone as everyone else was either away or in bed. May all your hopes, dreams and plans for the New Year find blessing and life in God's love. May 2013 be a year of faith, of peace and of much grace for all of you! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
PS Sorry this is a little late but I went to bed at 1:30 am and I am moving a bit slow today!
What caught my attention today as we here in our small little community celebrated the Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God, was not anything directly from the readings but something I ran across yesterday and it stuck with me.
For a large part of the world yesterday was just New Year's Eve and the focus of most people was celebrating the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013. Perhaps if you are a political person you followed the last minute struggle of our government to not go over the "fiscal cliff" whatever that means. I am sure there were other things one people's minds but for a small group of people mainly people who lived or grew up in Pittsburgh during the 1950's, 1960's and early 1970's, or die hard baseball fans from that period yesterday was a day to stop and remember. I was 40 years ago yesterday that Roberto Clemente died on a mission of mercy taking relief supplies from Puerto Rio to Nicaragua. Clemente played right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates for 18 years from 1955 until 1972. He was one of the great players of the game and if you grew up following the Pirates as I did, he was the greatest!
His legacy goes far beyond the baseball field. He was a man dedicated to people, he was a man dedicated to keeping hope alive in people. He worked tirelessly on and off the field and when he could have been home enjoying life and the fruits of his baseball career he was not. He was loading a plane with supplies to help others. Clemente was a great baseball player but an even great human being.
Now how does all of this fit with our feast today? Well one of Clemente's sayings that has always struck me was tweeted a few times yesterday, "Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on earth." It is a saying that has stayed with me from the first time I hear it. Almost every time I have been confronted with a decision about life I ask myself, "Is this an opportunity to make a difference?" Sometimes I make the right choice but other times I know I have wasted my time and not been the person I could have been!
All throughout Advent and now into the Christmas season we are reminded of the story of Mary, a simple woman, blessed, graced by God who when confronted with an opportunity to make a difference in the world did, not just once but over and over again. At every turn of life Mary took the opportunity not just to live through but to make a difference, not to waste time but to bring about the loving presence of God. She did it as the Mother of God, she did it as wife to Joseph, she it as mother to the beloved disciple and she does it as Mother of the Church for us today.
It might seem odd connecting a baseball player like Roberto Clemente and Mary, but each of them had a deep desire to help others, to make a difference, to keep alive the gift of hope. Perhaps they become two people who can challenge us as we begin a New Year to look at each choice, each decision, each experience of our life in 2013 as an opportunity to make a difference and thus not waste our time here on earth!
Daily Prayer: O God of wonder and mystery, author of all life, enliven us with your grace to see each moment in life as an opportunity, an opportunity to have faith, to hope, to love and make a difference. Bless us with the spirit of Mary, whom we celebrate this day as the Mother of Christ, that we might always respond to life with hope alive in our hearts! As we have been we continue though out this Christmas Season to pray 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! May you always bless us in your mercy...Amen!
Runner's Thought: Happy New Year runners, may the wind always be at your back and may you run each day with purpose, meaning and the presence of God!
New Year's blessings to all! I hope your celebration last night was fun and safe. I saw the ball drop in Times Square from the comfort of our TV room here in Pelham and I did it alone as everyone else was either away or in bed. May all your hopes, dreams and plans for the New Year find blessing and life in God's love. May 2013 be a year of faith, of peace and of much grace for all of you! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
PS Sorry this is a little late but I went to bed at 1:30 am and I am moving a bit slow today!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Christmas Monday Thoughts - 12/31/2012
Daily Thoughts: This last day of the year we are treated to the mysticism of St. John. The profoundly familiar opening of his Gospel, "In the beginning was the Word..." It is not an opening story like in Matthew, Mark and Luke, it is a mystical reflection on God, creation and Jesus' entrance into the world. It is a reminder of where we have come from and the profound love of God we journey towards.
In the first reading John in his letter speak to a community, a church, under persecution, struggling with the reality of life in a world made up of many different realities. Things appear to be coming to an end, but John reminds the community about what they know, what they have been taught, and about the relationship with God that they have entered into, so that no matter what happens they will remain faithful.
These readings speak to our realities this last day of the year. Things are coming to an end, perhaps not in the way John envisioned them but a calendar year is coming to an end. Over the past year we have seen many struggles, many signs that point to loss, tragedy, the absence of God and a hopelessness. However, John reminds us, as he did his own community, about what we know because we are friends of God. John reminds us of a new beginning, of by whom we have been created and the hope that needs to remain alive in our hearts.
We can encounter "fiscal cliffs," tragic losses, challenges to our faith, natural disasters but we know the love of God, we know that the Light shines in the darkness of life, we know that that world often does not know God, but we do and we will live in the Light and bring it to the world today and always.
Daily Prayer: Ever-living, ever-loving God, help us this day to walk in the Light of your love and truth. Help us to keep alive the hope of your loving presence even in the darkness that often surrounds us. Help us to embrace the your gift of grace so that we too may help peace come to life in our own lives and in the world...We continue though out this Christmas Season to pray 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! Amen!
Runner's Thought: Run with the wind today into a New Year blessed by God!
Greetings friends, I am a little late today as I took a sleep in after my long drive from the Midwest yesterday. I am thankful to be home yet there is a lot to do to bring this year to and end and ready myself for the year to come. I pray you are where you need and want to be. That you will get a chance to celebrate with family and/or friends tonight. If you need to travel please be safe. If you are going to be out and about at midnight, please be safe! Blessings on this last day of 2012 and much hope and many new dreams for 2013. See you next year! Peace in the Christ Child...Fr. Paul
In the first reading John in his letter speak to a community, a church, under persecution, struggling with the reality of life in a world made up of many different realities. Things appear to be coming to an end, but John reminds the community about what they know, what they have been taught, and about the relationship with God that they have entered into, so that no matter what happens they will remain faithful.
These readings speak to our realities this last day of the year. Things are coming to an end, perhaps not in the way John envisioned them but a calendar year is coming to an end. Over the past year we have seen many struggles, many signs that point to loss, tragedy, the absence of God and a hopelessness. However, John reminds us, as he did his own community, about what we know because we are friends of God. John reminds us of a new beginning, of by whom we have been created and the hope that needs to remain alive in our hearts.
We can encounter "fiscal cliffs," tragic losses, challenges to our faith, natural disasters but we know the love of God, we know that the Light shines in the darkness of life, we know that that world often does not know God, but we do and we will live in the Light and bring it to the world today and always.
Daily Prayer: Ever-living, ever-loving God, help us this day to walk in the Light of your love and truth. Help us to keep alive the hope of your loving presence even in the darkness that often surrounds us. Help us to embrace the your gift of grace so that we too may help peace come to life in our own lives and in the world...We continue though out this Christmas Season to pray 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! Amen!
Runner's Thought: Run with the wind today into a New Year blessed by God!
Greetings friends, I am a little late today as I took a sleep in after my long drive from the Midwest yesterday. I am thankful to be home yet there is a lot to do to bring this year to and end and ready myself for the year to come. I pray you are where you need and want to be. That you will get a chance to celebrate with family and/or friends tonight. If you need to travel please be safe. If you are going to be out and about at midnight, please be safe! Blessings on this last day of 2012 and much hope and many new dreams for 2013. See you next year! Peace in the Christ Child...Fr. Paul
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Holy Family Sunday Thoughts - 12/30/2012
Daily Thoughts: I will be traveling today making the 14 hour drive from Indianapolis to New York. It is a bit ironic I have just spent a week plus with family and today, the Feast of the Holy Family, I leave them. Also for those of you who tune into The Sunday Mass you will see me as celebrant of the Mass today, the miracle of TV!
In my homily today I mention one of my favorite fictional characters from TV, Special Agent, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, from the show NCIS. During one of the past episodes Abby has a struggle with family. She finds out that she was adopted. In a very touching scene she goes to Gibbs and says that she doesn't know who she is now and Gibbs' reply goes something like this, "Abby, family is more than science and DNA, family is about the people who care about you and you have a lot of people who care right here." To me it was a touching scene that reflected some of Gibbs' wisdom but I think it also reflects our feast today.
We might look are the Holy Family and say how can it be an example of family life. They were the perfect family, how could my family even begin to measure up to them? They were special people, blessed in a unique way by God. Jesus is The Son of God. Mary came into the world without sin. An angel came to both Joseph and Mary. How can we ever measure up to the Holy Family? In a word by caring!
Gibbs was right the basic value of family is that family cares no matter what. All of the stories we find about the Holy Family are stories about people who care for each other and for those around them. The gift of the Holy Family is the grace of caring! Perhaps our challenge today is to remember the people who care, those we are connected to by DNA and those we are not!
Daily Prayer: God the Creator of all families, graciously help us to imitate the love of the Holy Family for each other and the world. Grace us with the gift of caring so we might always bring your loving presence to a world that at times forgets to care. May your gift of family always keep hope alive within us. We continue though out this Christmas Season to pray 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! For truly blessed are all who hope in you! Amen!
Runner's Thought: A truly successful run is one in which the work of returning to God's presence in practiced over and over again.
As I said that the beginning I am traveling today I has your prayers for safe travel for me and my niece and her family as they to make the long trip back to Virgina. Have a blessed and holy Sunday and of you are with family may it be a special on. Peace in the Holy Family...Fr. Paul
In my homily today I mention one of my favorite fictional characters from TV, Special Agent, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, from the show NCIS. During one of the past episodes Abby has a struggle with family. She finds out that she was adopted. In a very touching scene she goes to Gibbs and says that she doesn't know who she is now and Gibbs' reply goes something like this, "Abby, family is more than science and DNA, family is about the people who care about you and you have a lot of people who care right here." To me it was a touching scene that reflected some of Gibbs' wisdom but I think it also reflects our feast today.
We might look are the Holy Family and say how can it be an example of family life. They were the perfect family, how could my family even begin to measure up to them? They were special people, blessed in a unique way by God. Jesus is The Son of God. Mary came into the world without sin. An angel came to both Joseph and Mary. How can we ever measure up to the Holy Family? In a word by caring!
Gibbs was right the basic value of family is that family cares no matter what. All of the stories we find about the Holy Family are stories about people who care for each other and for those around them. The gift of the Holy Family is the grace of caring! Perhaps our challenge today is to remember the people who care, those we are connected to by DNA and those we are not!
Daily Prayer: God the Creator of all families, graciously help us to imitate the love of the Holy Family for each other and the world. Grace us with the gift of caring so we might always bring your loving presence to a world that at times forgets to care. May your gift of family always keep hope alive within us. We continue though out this Christmas Season to pray 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! For truly blessed are all who hope in you! Amen!
Runner's Thought: A truly successful run is one in which the work of returning to God's presence in practiced over and over again.
As I said that the beginning I am traveling today I has your prayers for safe travel for me and my niece and her family as they to make the long trip back to Virgina. Have a blessed and holy Sunday and of you are with family may it be a special on. Peace in the Holy Family...Fr. Paul
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)