Daily Thoughts - 10/02/2013

Daily Thoughts: I have always had a special affection for our feast today, the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. Perhaps it goes back to my childhood, when in the first and second grade we always had to save room at our desk for our guardian angel. It was a way that the good Felician Sisters could teach us about the spiritual life but it also helped them keep distance and order in class, especially between those sitting side by side in our rows desks. I have to say, sometimes it worked but most of the time it didn't!

But then last night another childhood memory came to mind. One of my favorite movies as a kid was Angels in the Outfield, (the original 1951 version with Paul Douglas, Janet Leigh, Keenan Wynn, the voice of James Whitmore and cameo appearances by Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio and Bing Crosby, just to name a few. I loved the movie because it took place in Pittsburgh and centered around the woeful Pittsburgh Pirates and how the Pirates overcome their last place woes with the help of Heavenly Choir Nine, a celestial team of deceased ballplayers, who begin bestowing "miracles" upon the Pirates—but only on the condition that their loud mouth manager Guffy McGovern put a moratorium on swearing and fighting. It is a wonder and funny story. Perhaps it came to mind last night as I watched the once woeful Pirates win their first playoff game in 21 years. Maybe there were a few angels in the outfield and infield last night helping them too.

The point of my walk down memory lane is that the spirits of God's presence that we honor and celebrate today, Guardian Angels, play an important role in our life. Whether we acknowledge them by saving a seat for them at our desk as a kid, or laugh and cry with them as Hollywood brings them to life in movies like Angels in the Outfield or It's a Wonderful Life, we all have had moments and experiences in life when we sense that God has sent someone to help us. It might be a person who walks into our life at the right moment to help us overcome a struggle, an obstacle, and a difficult moment. Someone who gives us a good word that sends us on our way in the right direction. Someone just lets us know that we are not alone, we are loved, we are important, we are special and that makes all the difference at that moment in our life.

Throughout the scriptures God send his spirit, his messengers, to help people on their journey of faith. Why should this moment in time be any different? I can remember a special time when my guardian angel kept me going. It was the second time I ran the Boston Marathon. I was at mile 25 and out of gas. I could barely walk and just trying with any strength that I could find to keep moving forward. A young woman stepped off the sidewalk and began to walk along side me. I didn’t know her. She asked me my name and then put her hand on my shoulder and said, “You can do this! Let’s run!” She began to run and I began to run. She asked me if this was my first marathon and I said “no.” She said, “Then you know that you can do this so let’s run!” And we began to run faster. In the next moment as I seemed to get new energy I looked to my side and she was gone. I never got a chance to ask her name or to say thanks! I am sure though it was my guardian angel just making sure I kept going and she has done now for almost 60 years. You might say I have gotten her, her wings, many time over!

So as you journey through today remember to save a little space for your guardian angel and take a moment to thank her or him for the journey so far!

Daily Prayer:

Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Runner’s Thoughts: “Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit…” (Tim Noakes, Lore of Running) Perhaps it forces you to call upon your guardian angel!

Daily Blessing: Happy Wednesday afternoon everyone! I hope the day is going well for you, if not hang in there, home and rest will come soon! It was a late night for me as I was into baseball last night. It has been a morning and early afternoon in front of my computer working on a project for our 160^th Anniversary Mass that will take place on October 20^th.  But all you have not been far from my thoughts and prayers and so I am taking these few moments away from work to ask God’s blessing upon you as you continue your journey of faith and life!

May love and laughter touch you afternoon and evening, and warm your heart and bring you home to those you love. May good and faith filled people touch your life, wherever you go.  May love and peace bless your world with joy that long endures. May the closing of this day bring you rest and comfort in the company of those you most love and may God bless you this day and always!

Friends let us keep in our prayers those who are finding it hard to encounter God’s blessing and grace today. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul