Daily Thoughts: It was interesting how today's Gospel focused on the sick coming to Jesus and this is the World Day for the Sick and the Feast of Our lady of Lourdes. Lourdes has always been connected with the sick and struggling from what I have heard it is a remarkable place one that I hope to visit in August of 2014.
I also noted a contract between the readings today. The first reading was from the Book of Genesis, it was the first half of the creation story while the Gospel from Mark was about the sick coming to Jesus. On the one hand the gift of creation and on the other a need for healing. Perhaps the first reading reminds us what we really have lost, the gift of creation, the gift of goodness. God wanted the best for us and somewhere along the line we turned it down, we said we knew better! We lost some of the goodness. Since that time we have been about seeking healing, finding that goodness again and it has been a struggle. We have created a great distance between us and God's goodness.
Sometimes I feel like the sick people in the Gospel story who are just trying to touch the tassel on Jesus' clock. If I could just do that things would be better and you know what, sometimes I do. God's goodness is not gone I encounter it each and every day of my life but it takes work because there is so much "non-goodness" out there! But as Jesus walks by we are given the opportunity to touch a tassel and encounter his Goodness.
Let us pray today for the gift of God's Goodness in our lives. Let us pray for the wisdom to recognize those moments when Jesus is near and the courage to reach out and touch his tassel. Let us live in the hope today that God's creation is still at work and that God will look at us at the end of the day and say "Good!"
Daily Prayer: O God, through the intercession of Mary, under her title of Our lady of Lourdes, grace us with the gift of your goodness, your healing and your love. Help us to be people of the Light. Give us the courage to live this day amidst the craziness that this world often creates. Bless us with the hope that in living life today when evening comes you will help us to say how good it is! Amen!
Runner's Thought: As you run today take with you whatever image of God that is most important to you and allow that image to accompany you on your run, also look for goodness in everyone you encounter. Look for goodness in yourself!
Have a wonderful Monday everyone! Don't let the babbling of the media and social media over the Pope's resignation get you down. Life will go on! It is a rainy day here in New York hopefully were you are there is some sun either outside or in your heart! Have a safe and productive day and if that cannot happen know that you are prayed for and loved! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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