Daily Thoughts: We have closed
the Christmas Season with yesterday's celebration of the Baptism of the Lord
and today we enter into Ordinary Time. We get a chance to take a breath and
relax a little before entering the Season of Lent or do we?
Sometimes I think when it comes to our
relationship with God, there is no relaxing, there is no taking a breath, it is
always full steam ahead. There is always a new challenge, a new way to live
life. We certainly see that in the Gospel today!
The fishermen from Galilee get no chance
to rest, a new life awaits them. They think they are settled into the ordinary
life but Jesus has something else planned for them. They think this is just
another ordinary day but Jesus makes it special.
In the Gospel today, (Mark 1: 14-20), we
witness the beginning of some wonderful friendships. Simon, soon to be called
Peter, his brother Andrew, James and his brother John, the two sons of Zebedee,
all begin the journey of friendship, discipleship, with Jesus today. They each
receives a simple invitation to "Come after me, and I will make you
fishers of [people]." To follow
Jesus and if they do he will change their life. The change is not simple going
for fishers of fish to fishers of people; the change is becoming a friend of
Jesus, which always changes life.
Each morning we arise, whether in
ordinary or special time we are offered the same invitation to friendship with
Jesus that Simon, Andrew, James and John are offered. We are offered the same
opportunity to change our life. The question is like Simon, Andrew, James and
John are we willing to accept it?
Have a great Monday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Loving God,
grant us the grace to recognize you today as you pass by and the wisdom to say
yes to your invitation to follow. May your invitation lead to friendship with
you, newness of life and your gift of love. Help us with the strength to accept
the challenge of conversion of heart and to believe in the Good News and
proclaim it to all we meet by the living of life! Amen!
Runner's Thought: Make your run
today a time of prayer, let go of the music, let go problems to be solved, let
go of the decisions to be made and let God!
Daily Blessing: Greetings
everyone, welcome to the first week of Ordinary Time! The Christmas Season is
officially over at least liturgically. Hope you had a good weekend and that
your team or teams won in various sports over the weekend. I hope your favorite
actress, actor, television show and movie won a Golden Globe last night. We
might say we had a busy weekend of sports and awards and just think the
Olympics will be upon us soon!
I pray that you are rested and ready for
all this new week will bring into your life? If not I hope today will not be
too difficult for you so that you can get your feet on the ground for the rest
of the week. My prayers are will all who struggling with the flu and winter
colds at this time may you find good health quickly. I pray for God’s Blessings
upon all of us that we will have a great week! One that is rich in the presence
and friendship of God. Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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