Daily
Thoughts: We
seem to be in the forgiveness mode of Lent these days. Yesterday we had the
Pharisee and the tax collector at prayer and today we have perhaps the most
famous of all Gospel parables the Parable of the Forgiving Father. In each
story we are asked to recognize God’s forgiveness which is always available to
us.
As
I was reading the parable of the Forgiving Father for probably the 1000 plus
time something new jumped out at me. As I was reading about the older son
suddenly St. Paul’s words from his Letter to the Romans echoed in my mind.
Towards the end of Chapter 8 in Romans St. Paul talks about nothing separating
us from God’s love. He goes through a litany of things that we might think
would separate us from God’s love but in the end St. Paul says nothing will
ever separate us from God’s love. In using that passage for my own personal
prayer and at time for preaching I have always thought that St. Paul left out
one thing. There is one thing that can separate us from God’s love, ourselves!
The
older son separates himself from his father’s love, no one or nothing else
does. The younger son separates himself from his father’s love but is humble
enough to recognize his mistake and return. The older son continues to stand
outside as the story ends and as I always tell people if someone is outside at
the end of one of Jesus’ parables they are not in a good place.
In
the second reading today St. Paul tells the Corinthians to always be reconciled
to God, in other words, do not let yourselves stand between yourself and God’s
love! Like the younger son let’s see your faults, our failings and our
struggles. Let’s return home to our loving God and be reconciled. If we do God
will create something new with us!
Daily
Lenten Prayer:
O God of compassion and forgiveness, grace us with your gift of hope. Help us
to be your new creations proclaiming the Good News. As your ambassadors of
reconciliation may we bring your healing and reconciliation to others just as
Jesus brought healing and reconciliation to us. Welcome us this day into your
presence and bless us with you wondrous love! Amen!
Runner’s
Thought: Run
in the presence of God. In order to do this, as you run, simply imagine God is
with you constantly on the run. It does not matter how you image God. Just take
whatever image of God you have and allow that image to accompany you on your
run.
Have
a blessed and holy Sunday everyone! I hope you set your clocks ahead one hour
last night, if not I would guess you are running a little late as you read this
or are a bit frustrated at being late for something today. If so just relax it
is only one day and hopefully by now you are caught up. I did miss the hour of
sleep last night but I will catch up later today.
I
began the mission here at Immaculate Conception Parish in Stony Point, NY by
preaching the 5:30 pm Saturday evening mass and I will be preaching the 7:30
am, 9:30 am and 11:30 am masses today. If you are in the area come join us from
Monday to Wednesday in the morning 8:30 am or in the evening at 7:30 pm as we
celebrate a time of mission. Please keep the faith community and their preacher
in your prayers,
My
thoughts and prayers are with the cardinals in Rome these days. I truly hope
they will pick a good person who will lead us into a new grace filled and spirited time. My prayers are also with Fr.
Edward as he does his reporting from Rome for CNN.
Have
a great Sunday everyone, relax a little and enjoy the day where ever you are.
Please know you are in my prayers always especially during this holy time!
Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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