Daily Thoughts: In these last
days until Christmas we are reminded over and over how the Christmas story came
to be. We hear about Joseph’s dream and today the Mary’s encounter with the
angel Gabriel. Each story is a snap shot of the greater story of God’s human presence
in the world. In today’s Gospel (Luke 1:26-38) we are reminded that Mary was
truly a believer. Even though she did not know the full extent of her “yes” she
proclaimed it anyway. She trusted in God. She had faith and she staked her life
in the promise of God something Ahaz, in our first reading (Isaiah 7:10-14) was
unwilling to do.
Not having a clear vision of the road
ahead is not always an easy way to live. It demands trust, it demands faith,
and it demands a sense of hope in all that one does. Mary certain defines this
way of living. She did not know the implications of her “yes” but she had
trust, faith and lived by an unrelenting hope.
Several times this Advent I have used
this quote by Calvin Miller. It is from his book The Christ of Christmas: Readings for Advent. I find it a wonderful
way to think of the gift of Mary in our life and so I share it with you again
today – “We must look to Mary's example to know how to deal with the glorious
impossibilities of God. Look how she turned the world upside down by making one
simple statement.”
Mary’s one simple statement was “yes” to
God. Today we remember another moment from the Christmas story. It is a moment
that reminds us that if we trust, if we believe, if we live by hope we will
encounter God most often when we least expect it but always when we are most in
need!
Have a great day everyone!
Daily Prayer: Loving God, in
the spirit of your handmaid, our mother Mary, we pray - Behold your servants, O
God – May what you ask of us be lived out by us according to your word, your
invitation, your will. Today God, we say “yes” to you! Amen. (Adapted from Mary’s
Prayer to the angel Gabriel)
Runner’s Thoughts: “I run because it's my passion, and not just a
sport. Every time I walk out the door, I know why I'm going where I'm going and
I'm already focused on that special place where I find my peace and solitude.
Running, to me, is more than just a physical exercise... it's a consistent
reward for victory!” (Sasha Azevedo, actress) I think this quote from Sasha
Azevedo not only helps us to understand running but also faith. We believe not because
we were born into a religion, a faith community but because we have a passion
for our relationship with God. When we wake up in the morning we might not know
where we are going or what the day will bring but because we believe, because
we have faith we are ready to face the day. Throughout our journey we look for
places of solitude and peace, perhaps when we run. We also look for places of
love and community. Faith is more than just an obligation…it is our breath, our
way of life!
Daily Blessing: TGIF everyone!
It has been a busy week with snow, sleet, cold temperatures, a mission, two funerals,
Christmas cards, countless trips to the post office, lots of traffic and long
lines. I hope you are surviving this last week until Christmas. I hope today
finds you not too stressed and enjoying a day gifted by the sun, with warming
temperatures, though I know that things are not so good in the upper Midwest!
Most of my ministry responsibilities are
done for the year except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and anything else
that might come up in the next 10 days or so. I am looking forward to Christmas
at home for the first time in over 30 years. I hope that this weekend will give
you a chance to get things done and thus be ready to celebrate the gift of
Christmas at home or wherever you will travel to. May this Christmas truly be a
blessed and holy one for all!
It is in the spirit of Mary’s “yes” that
is proclaimed in the Gospel today I offer my daily blessing – Loving God, bless
us this day with the confidence, the faith, the trust and the hope to always
respond with a “yes” to your invitation to live life. Help us to be people of
joy, of peace and of commitment. Grace us with the strength to move beyond
negativity of this world and see the possible in the impossible. Protected us today,
in our travels, our endeavors, in our busyness and gifted us with many
experiences of your love. Loving God, bless us all this day and always. Amen.
Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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