Making a Joyful Noise through Lent 03/29/2014

Making a Joyful Noise through Lent - 03/29/2014

“The salvation which God offers us is the work of his mercy. No human efforts, however good they may be, can enable us to merit so great a gift. God, by his sheer grace, draws us to himself and makes us one with him. He sends his Spirit into our hearts to make us his children, transforming us and enabling us to respond to his love by our lives.” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel)

Pope Francis’ words today remind us of God’s gift. Yes, we are not worthy yet God still gives us the gift of his presence, his Spirit. Are we humble enough like the tax collector to bow before God and allow God to transform us by this love?

In today's Gospel (Luke 18:9-14) we are reminded that it is not the quantity or style of our prayer. It is not the position we hold or all the things we can point to that we do. It is the quality of our prayer and how we live our life that counts.

The Pharisee had all the right words, all the right actions but not the right intention. He knew the law but the not the spirit. The tax collector on the other hand certainly struggled in his life but when it came to prayer, when it came to speaking with God he was right on.

Humility is a valuable gift yet one that not many people have. We grow up trying to develop our self-confidence; we try to be independent, self-assured and self-reliant. We are often told that we must promote ourselves in order to get anywhere. Yet, humility can help us recognize God, in ourselves and others. Humility can help us recognize the presence of God in the living of life.

The response to the responsoral psalm today is "It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice." I have a merciful person we must be humble. We must realize that we are not perfect we are human, with faults and failings just like everyone else. If we are willing enough and humble enough to seek God's mercy then we will be able to offer mercy and compassion to others.

As St. John Chrysostom put it, "We cannot be saved by seeking just our own individual salvation. We need to look first to the good of others."

Have a wonderful Saturday everyone and don’t forget to make a joyful noise with your life today!

Daily Lenten Prayer: Loving God, help us to live as humble, compassionate, joyful people today and always. May we always pray with openness to your mercy and love just like the tax collector. Grace us with hearts that recognize your gifts in our lives and an openness to share joyfully these gifts with others. Amen!

Runner's Thought: Running is a lot like life, sometimes it is energizing and sometimes it isn't but it always has meaning!

Daily Blessing: Happy Saturday everyone! I survived my long day’s journey to nowhere yesterday and nowhere is a rather interesting place. Yes, I made it to Midland and then Garden City, Texas. Garden City is about an hour from Midland and the parish St. Laurence is not in the town of Garden City it is in St. Laurence which is in the middle of farms and oil fields. The only here at the church, the rectory, there religious education building, the parish hall and the parish gym there is nothing else but fields for as far as you can see!

I had a good Texas style fried shrimp dinner last night and a very nice full night’s sleep. Oh and one last thing when I arrive yesterday it was 75 degrees, yes it is warm and sunny and it looks to remain that way for the rest of my stay here. May long day’s journey might have brought me to nowhere but it is warm and sunny here and right now that makes it the best place to be in my book. I am looking forward to the celebration of mass this evening and the mission that will begin tomorrow night. I am told this is a very spirited faith community! I ask your prayers for the faith community here at St. Laurence and if you could add one for their preacher it would be appreciated!

Well friends from the endless fields and open spaces of Texas I send you greetings and blessings this day and prayers that you will have a good Saturday. May God bless you with a restful Saturday, may it be gifted with the presence of people you love and may it be rich in the presence of God! If it happens to be a busy one may you find the gift of God’s blessing within your busyness. And may you be blessed with a little warmth in your life. Blessings to all form the wide open spaces and blue skies of Texas. Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul