Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Happy New Year - Daily Thoughts - 01/01/2014



Daily Thoughts: All throughout Advent and now into the Christmas season we have been reminded of the story of Mary, a simple woman, blessed, graced by God who when confronted with an opportunity to make a difference in the world did, not just once but over and over again. At every turn of life Mary took the opportunity not just to live through but to make a difference, not to waste time but to bring about the loving presence of God. She did it as the Mother of God, she did it as wife to Joseph, she it as mother to the beloved disciple and she does it as Mother of the Church for us today.

Perhaps today is a good day to think about the gift that all mothers give and through the intersession of Mary ask God to bless, protect all mothers… Here are a few thoughts from others about mothers...

 “When you look into your mother’s eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth.” (Mitch Albom)

“Parents rarely let go of their children, so children let go of them. They move on. They move away. The moments that used to define them - a mother's approval, a father's nod - are covered by moments of their own accomplishments. It is not until much later, as the skin sags and the heart weakens, that children understand; their stories, and all their accomplishments, sit atop the stories of their mothers and fathers, stones upon stones, beneath the waters of their lives.” (Mitch Albom)

“The truth is, when our mothers held us, rocked us, stroked our heads -none of us ever got enough of that. We all yearn in some way to return to those days when we were completely taken care of - unconditional love, unconditional attention. Most of us didn't get enough.” (Mitch Albom)

“There's a story behind everything…but behind all your stories is always your mother's story…because hers is where yours begins.” (Mitch Albom)

“I don't know what it is about food your mother makes for you, especially when it's something that anyone can make - pancakes, meat loaf, tuna salad - but it carries a certain taste of memory.” (Mitch Albom)

“Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation.” (Robert A. Heinlein)

“When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. (Paul McCartney)

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Mary, mother of Jesus)

“In a child's eyes, a mother is a goddess. She can be glorious or terrible, benevolent or filled with wrath, but she commands love either way. I am convinced that this is the greatest power in the universe.”  ( N.K. Jemisin)

“Mothers and their children are in a category all their own. There's no bond so strong in the entire world. No love so instantaneous and forgiving.”  (Gail Tsukiyama)

Happy Feast Day to all mothers, especially to expectant mothers! May we also remember all mothers who have passed from us. Happy New Year everyone and have a blessed and joyous 2014!

Daily Prayer: O God of wonder and mystery, author of all life, enliven us with your grace to see each moment in life as an opportunity, an opportunity to have faith, to hope, to love and make a difference. Bless us with the spirit of Mary, whom we celebrate this day as the Mother of Christ that we might always respond to life with hope alive in our hearts!  As we have been we continue though out this Christmas Season to pray for families in grief; for little ones whose lives were too short; for teachers, administrators and responders who put others first; for firefighters who risk their lives; for a community that must find a way to live; for all of us who seek a world of lasting peace! May you always bless us in your mercy...Amen!

Runner's Thoughts: Happy New Year runners, may the wind always be at your back and may you run each day with purpose, meaning and the presence of God!

Daily Blessing: New Year's blessings to all! I hope your celebration last night was fun and safe. I saw the ball drop in Times Square from the comfort of our TV room here in Pelham and I did it alone as everyone else was either away or in bed.

It appears we are in for a major snow storm tomorrow and Friday, we can only wait and see if all the predictions are right. It seems we will start off 2014 in an interesting way!

My blessing prayer today comes from the words of Mother Teresa.  As we enter this New Year we ask God blessing upon us so that we embrace life and live it because life is…
“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it.”

May all your hopes, dreams and plans for the New Year find blessing and life in God's love. May 2014 be a year of faith, of peace and of much grace for all of you! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul

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