Daily Thoughts: There seems to be quite a contrast between the Gospel and the Feast of St. Paul Miki and his companions martyrs that we celebrate today. On the one hand we have St. Paul and his 25 companions back in the Sixteenth Century who held on to their faith at a time in Japan when it was under attack. Rather than giving in to the pressures of their culture and society at that time they held on to what they believed and it brought them to their own crosses and death.
On the other hand the people in Nazareth, Jesus' home town are so closed minded, so sure they know Jesus that they have very little faith. Their faith is so weak that the wonderful things Jesus does everywhere else could not happen in their town. They have put Jesus into a box and they are not open to the unpredictable answers, the unexplainable surprises and the unrelenting love that Jesus brings!
The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews tells us that faith is profoundly important but is not easy, that it is work and at times has grave consequences. Yet, we need to hang on. We need to keep working at it. We need not to give up hope because we never know when the grace of God will be in our midst and we do not want to miss it!
So today let us live out our faith, let us not fear, because God's kindness is everlasting and God's grace in always right around the corner!
Daily Prayer: O God of all strength, help us to hold on to the courage of faith as we live our life. Keep us from forming opinions about ourselves and others that cause us to miss your grace, your presence and your love. Keep our hearts open to the many ways you enter our lives so that in faith you might bring healing and love to our life and to all those we encounter this day. Amen!
Runner's Thought: Remember it is possible to begin a meditation run simply by stepping on to the side walk, the street, the track, the path and putting one foot in front of the other. In fact, the simplicity of this is one of the great joys of running!
Happy Wednesday everyone! Once again we are at hump day; this week is all downhill from here! Well perhaps not but we can hope! Where ever you are, whatever this day brings I hope you will find many blessings in it! Enjoy your day, the people you meet, the things you do and the time you spend being the gift you are! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul.
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