Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Daily Thoughts - 10/29/2013

Daily Thoughts: “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can [we] compare it?” We might stay that these questions have been asked over and over again down through history. We are always trying to figure out what the Kingdom of God is like. What does Heaven look like?

We are always trying to compare it to what we know. Even Jesus does it today in the Gospel (Luke 13: 18-21). Jesus compares it to a mustard seed and yeast not exactly what I would do by Jesus has a reason for picking these two examples. He compares the Kingdom to a mustard seed and yeast because it is something alive. It is growing, it is ever changing and as Paul tells us in the first reading (Romans 8:18-25) it is not just for ever one it is for everything. All creation glories in the Kingdom! That is why respect the gift of God’s creation because on the last day all creation will be transformed into the Kingdom of God.

Our challenge today is to look around at the people, place and things of God’s creation that are a part of our lives and be thankful for them. When we ask the question what is the Kingdom of God like, to what can we compare it? All we need to do is look around because the Kingdom of God in alive in our life.

Perhaps Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ said it well when he wrote: “By means of all created things, without exception, the divine assails us, penetrates us, and molds us. We imagined it as distant and inaccessible, when in fact we live steeped in its burning layers”

Or maybe Thomas Merton said it a little differently when he wrote: “When we are alone on a starlit night, when by chance we see the migrating birds in autumn descending on a grove of junipers to rest and eat; when we see children in a moment when they are really children, when we know love in our own hearts; or when, like the Japanese poet, Basho, we hear an old frog land in a quiet pond with a solitary splash - at such times the awakening, the turning inside out of all values, the "newness," the emptiness and the purity of vision that make themselves evident, all these provide a glimpse of the cosmic dance [a glimpse of the Kingdom].”

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Daily Prayer: God, loving Creator, grace us with the wisdom to embrace your Kingdom that is all around us so that someday, after trying to master the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for you the energies of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, we will have discovered fire – your unconditional love. Amen! (Adapted from the words of Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ)

Runner’s Thoughts: Five days to the NYC Marathon and so my words of inspiration and faith today are – “People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they'll go to any length to live longer. But I don't think that's the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you're going to while away the years, it's far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive then in a fog, and I believe running helps you to do that. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that's the essence of running, and a metaphor for life [and a metaphor for faith]” (Haruki Murakami and [me])

Daily Blessing: I hope this finds everyone having a good day if not hang in there it will get better! So that your good day continue and that your not so good day gets better I pray – Loving God bless us with a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; bless us with an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; bless us with an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bless us with the understanding to know you, bless us with diligence to seek you, bless us with the wisdom to find you, and bless us with a faithfulness will help us to embrace your love in our life. I pray this blessing for all my family and friends and anyone in need this day through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen! Have a great day. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul

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