Daily Thoughts - 05/13/2013

Daily Thought: “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” The last sentence of today’s Gospel from John (John 16:29-33). It reminds us that being a person of faith is not easy, that we will find ourselves struggling with many things about the world, culture and society. In fact we will struggle with many things within our own faith community because as an institution it is part of the world and run by human beings who are imperfect. Living this life will give us trouble from all sides.

However, we are not to fear because Jesus has conquered the world. He has made this life only part of the journey. There is more to life than this world; there is more to life than what we face each day. There is an eternal life where there is no more pain, no more sorrow, no more death just the eternal presence of God. As people of faith that is where we are headed but there is still this life, this world to navigate through.

Each day we need to look for the Spirit. We need to look for those people like St. Paul who can help us connect with the Spirit, because it is the Holy Spirit who will guide us through the troubles of this world. It is the Holy Spirit who will bring to life the gift of God within us.

So be on the lookout today for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can come to us in many different ways, through creation, through the people we meet, through the people we love and yes, the Holy Spirit can even come to us through ourselves. Let us be the breath, the life, the Spirit of God today!

Daily Prayer:  Come, O Holy Spirit of Life and help us in our weaknesses, in our troubles and in our struggles.  We do not always know how to pray as we should, so we ask you to intercede for us. Grace our prayers with your groanings too deep for words and set our hearts on fire with your love. Help us to be re-created in your love so that we might renew your hope throughout the face of the earth this day and always. Amen!

Runner’s Thought: When you finish your run today or any day, take a moment to reflect on the sense of balance, the sense of energy, the sense of renewal that results from your run. Think of the moment when you felt God’s presence. Think of the ways you felt God presence. Now take that energy, that balance, that presence with you throughout the day!

Happy Monday everyone! I hope all the mother’s among us had a great day yesterday and were blessed with the loving presence of others throughout the day!  

To all, I hope your Monday, your new work week, has started well. We are on the chilly side here in Pelham but the sun is shining. I pray that your day, your week will be blessed with many wonderful and life giving experiences. Take some time today to smell the flowers, to enjoy the colors of creation and to let yourself be loved! Peace in Christ’s Passion and Hope in the Risen Lord…Fr. Paul