Daily Thoughts - 04/22/2013

Daily Thoughts: I was struck by the last sentence of today’s Gospel, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” Jesus’ hold purpose for coming into the world was so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. In the midst of the chaos of last week both in Boston and Texas I wonder how many of us hear the words of the Gospel today and say yes, I believe! I think sometimes we look around at life and say why not thanks. Sometimes we wonder what kind of life we have and it is certainly not a life in abundance.

Yet if we really stop and take an inventory of our lives we might find great treasure and great abundance. Yes, there is struggle, pain, sorrow, challenges and evil. Yes, there are people, moments and experiences that seem to take life away from us. However if we are truly honest that is a lot of goodness to life, to our lives. God is truly present in the world and there is an abundance of God’s presence.

I see, I encounter, it every day. The goodness of people, the care, concern and desire of people to make God present, to share the gift of God with all they meet. I see and encounter God’s stamp on many things each day. I see it in people, in place, in experiences and within myself.

Even though there are awful things that happen in our world there is a tremendous amount of good that also happens. There is a richness and an abundance of God in our world all we have to do is stop and look around. As John tells us, “God so loved the world that he gave us his only Son.” A Son who came into the world that we might have life and have it abundantly, all we need to do is believe and live with hope!

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have brought us the gift of abundant life. Give us eyes that can look beyond the glamor and trivia of the world to the richness of your loving presence as it comes to us in others, creation and ourselves. Grace us with hope so that we will not give into despair, anger, vengeance and fear but through hope we will find the joy, grace and life you came to give us. May we come to know the full measure of life that you have promised! Amen!

Runner’s Thought: Run with a strong heart today. If you run in the midst of the ordinary, you will often find yourself touched by the extraordinary presence of God. Run strong today, run Boston Strong today, Run Strong into the heart of God today!

Happy Monday everyone! I hope your Monday, your week, has started off on the right foot. If not I pray your fortunes will change as the day and the week goes on. The mission here at St. Jane Frances de Chantal in Wantagh has gotten off to a great start. We had a very nice and spirit filled crowd this morning and I now look forward to the evening service. The sun is out, yes there is a chill in the air but today is a beautiful day. I hope it is for you also. Blessings upon your day, upon all that you are doing and upon all you meet! Peace in Christ’s Passion and Hope in the Risen Lord…Fr. Paul