Daily Thoughts: One of
my brothers in the Passion began mass today by saying that our first reading
from the First Letter of St. Peter (1 Peter 1: 3-9) is the most beautiful
reading in the scriptures in terms of hope. While I like the reading I would
not mark it as one of my favorites even in terms of hope but it does create a
wonderful image of our relationship with God, which some might say stands in
contrast to the Gospel passage today (Mark 10: 17-27) but I would say
complements it.
The Gospel brings us the
story of the rich young man, perhaps one of the saddest stories in the Gospel.
The story of struggle because of wealth and possessions, a story that points
out one of the great pitfalls of being successful, that it can go to your head.
Wealth and possessions can become a god if left unchecked, if they become the
most important things in life.
Yet, the end of the Gospel
like the reading from the First Letter Peter leaves us with a sense of hope.
The hope is that “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All
things are possible for God” (Mark 10:27). Yes, we are going to struggle with
the trappings of life. Yes, sometimes we are going to feel like the rich young
man. Yes, at time the words of the disciples will be uttered by us, “Then who
can be saved” (Mark 10:26). And yes, sometimes our possessions and money will
overwhelm us and we will struggle.
But we live in the hope that
even in our failures, our distractions all things are still possible, salvation
is still possible, friendship with God is still possible because God is always
with us and will never leave us to face life alone!
Happy Monday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Compassionate
God, At times our hearts seems troubled. When this happens everything becomes
an effort, life is difficult and we struggle to be faithful. In these moments remind
me of Your Son’s words “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All
things are possible for God” Do not let us be afraid and thus give in to life’s
troubles. Rather help us, stay close to you, by reaching out to others, doing
something creative with passion, and always living the fullness of life. Enliven
us always in Your Holy Spirit of hope, so that we may live life with Passion
together. And may the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in my heart! Amen.
Runner’s Thoughts: You
have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given
myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it
started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement. (Steve
Prefontaine)
Daily Blessing: Well
friends the great storm is a no-show here in Pelham, I guess the weather people
are allowed one mulligan but I wish it had not been at the expense of my
mission. I should be in Cedar Knolls, NJ this morning getting ready for the
second day on a mission at Notre Dame Parish instead I am home looking out at
all the non-snow, sleet and ice that didn’t fall!
Today is the 71st
Anniversary of my mother and father wedding, an expression of love that began a
wonderful family. It is a family that has grown into many new families who now spread
the love of Rita and Paul and help it to grow in many different ways. I am most
grateful to mom and dad for their love which led to my life and that of my
sister and brother. I remember them today and offer a prayer of gratitude and petition,
thanking them for the gift of life and asking them to continue to bless me with
their spirit!
My prayer of blessing for all
of you today is that your love many more and more abound in wisdom, knowledge,
understanding and wealth of experience so that you may continue to learn to
value the things that really matter and that you will always be blessed with a
harvest of faith, hope and love which God has planted within you. Blessings to
all today! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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