Daily Thoughts: "Repairer of the breach...Restorer of ruined homesteads." Do we not have a picture of these titles in the Gospel today? Jesus invites Levi (Matthew) to follow him. Jesus invites a tax collector a profession that made the people involved hateful to society. Yet, Jesus brings them into the community of faith. Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners and the religious leaders are taken back, Jesus brings those who are thought to be outside the community into the community. Yes, Jesus in the true "repairer of the breach and restorer of ruined homesteads.
However, these words and this story are not just about Jesus. Isaiah is speaking to us. Jesus is laying down an example for us. We are to be the repairers of the breach and restorers of the ruined homesteads. It is our job as members of the faith community to reach out and make those on outside welcome within the community.
So often we find within the faith community people who find it much easier to judge, to exclude, to criticize, to question the actions of people then to reach out and help. So often we find people within the faith community who create the breach and ruin the homesteads.
As people of faith we live with the hope that the words of Isaiah are fulfilled in the person of Jesus but we also live with the challenge that as a disciple of Jesus we need to keep that hope alive. It has been said that through what God "does" we come to know who God "is." I think this can also be said about us. Though what we do for others as a people of faith people will come to know who we are.
As we continue this journey of Lent let us respond to Jesus' invitation to follow and give life and hope to life as repairers and restorers!
Daily Lenten Prayer: Almighty and ever-loving God, look with compassion on our humanness, on all our struggles and weaknesses. Strengthen us for the journey ahead. Give us the wisdom to follow your call. Enliven us with the grace to be repairers and restorers of your love. Help us to be people of hope and to bring that hope to all we meet. Amen!
Runner's Thought: As we run today let us find the grace and strength to choose the narrow road, the steep uphill climb, the rocky trail, the muddy path because these choices are made by few and these choice can at times make all the difference!
Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you are having a restful and peaceful Saturday. If it happens to be a busy one may you find a little time in the midst of today to at least take a little breather. I head out this afternoon for Peekskill, NY where I begin a mission this evening. I will be preaching all the masses today and tomorrow and then the mission with be from Monday to Wednesday at 9:00 am and 7:30 pm. If you are in the area come and join us. Again, enjoy your day, enjoy your weekend, blessings on all you do today and on everyone you meet! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment