Daily
Lenten Thoughts:
Jesus words in the Gospel today are as true for us as they were for the people
of Jesus’ time, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not
believe.” We are always looking for signs and wonders. If I pray to the Blessed
Mother and my prayer is answered I will believe. If I pray to St. Jude and my
prayer is answered I will be believe. If my friend, my family member is cured
of cancer I will believe. If the Blessed Mother, one of the saints, if God
would just appear to me and tell me what to do I would believe.
We
are always chasing miracles, apparitions something extraordinary and if we can
just find one, experience one, we will believe. Or will we? There were many
people during Jesus’ time who saw him heal or raise someone from the dead and
did not believe or only believe for a short time. Take his disciples as an
example, all of the things they saw, all of the experiences they had with Jesus
and yet they still ran away. They still betrayed him. They still denied him.
Belief is not easy and signs and wonders are not the cure. Living and believing
every day requires work. Putting time into our relationship with God, prayer,
good works, care and attention to others, especially those in need are what
will make faith, belief possible.
There
are signs and wonders going on around us every day. The sun rises and sets.
People do good things for others. God is present in nature, people and us. We
just have to stop and take notice. We have to be will to stop and look at the
ordinary things around us because they will make the extraordinary possible.
God
desires nothing but happiness for our lives as we hear in the words of Isaiah
today. The only thing that gets in God’s way is us! There was a commercial a
while back, I think for an insurance or investment company and it open with a person
doing something kind for another person. Someone saw the gesture and did
something nice or kind for another person. The commercial continued with one
act of kindness after another until it came full circle back to the original
person that the original act of kindness. Signs and wonders are going on around
us every day all we have to do is stop and take notice. If we do – faith,
belief in God will be much easier!
Daily
Lenten Prayer:
Loving God, be always with us in times of stress and struggle. Help us to know
that you are close even when we cannot feel your presence. Grace us with wisdom
to always know that you are there helping us and watching over us. As St. Paul
says, “nothing in heaven and on earth can separate us from your love.” Help us
to believe and live St. Paul’s words. Enliven our hearts with faith and hope in
your love today and always! Amen!
Runner’s
Thought: When
you finish your run today, take a moment to reflect on the sense of God’s
presence that you felt as you ran. Try to carry this presence with you as you
go through the rest of this day and into tomorrow.
A
Monday greeting to all! I hope everyone had a nice weekend, that you got a
little rest and relaxation and that you are looking forward to a good weekend.
If not you are in my prayers! My weekend preaching went well and in just about
an hour we will begin three days of mission here at Immaculate Conception
Parish in Stony Point, NY. Met some retreatants from Riverdale here over the
weekend it was nice to see some familiar faces. I think it will be a good three
days of mission the people seemed enthusiastic. Again I ask for your prayers for
the faith community here and their preacher.
I
guess you can say all eyes are on Rome this week as we await the conclave to
begin and the election of a new pope. While there seems to be a lot of
speculation on who the next pope will be the one great thing about this
election is that we do not have to endure years of endless negative campaign
ads and negative commentary on the campaigns! My prayers are with the cardinals
and their task and I remain hopeful they will find a person who will lead the
Church in a compassionate and loving way!
May
everyone have a great Monday with blessings upon all you do and upon everyone
you meet! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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