Daily Thoughts: “Characters
welcome,” is the slogan of the USA Network. As I listen to the stories of the
early Church as they come to us through the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 13:
26-33) I am reminded that our Church, our community of faith is made up of
characters, faith characters. Some very familiar to us like Peter and Paul
others not so familiar just names or people who appear for a moment yet they
played a role in the development of the early Church.
What is it that makes a “character of
faith?” Well, I think our answer is in today’s Gospel (John 14: 1-6). We hear
that famous passage from John’s Gospel where Jesus says, “I am the way and the
truth and the life.” Thus, a “character of faith” is someone who does not let
her or his heart be trouble. A “character of faith” has faith in God and faith
in their friend Jesus. A “character of faith” follows Jesus and believes that
in following Jesus they will make their way in truth and life.
One thing is for sure because we are
“characters of faith” we will not live life the same way and every once in a
while we will need to stop and like Thomas say, “Master, we do not know where
you are going, how can we know the way?” But as a faith character we take
comfort and have hope that Jesus will always take the time point us in the right
direction.
The sad thing is that like in the early
Church and during the time of Jesus, characters are not always welcome. We have
all been gifted by being created in the image and likeness of God. Each of us
are different, each of us are unique and special. Jesus is the way, the truth
and the life. There are many dwelling place in the eternal home. There is room
for every character!
Have a blessed Friday and don’t forget
to make a joyful noise with your life today!
Daily Prayer: O God, author
of life and freedom, hear us as we call upon you to help guide us through life
today. Help us to trust in your loving presence so that we will be true to the
“character” that you have created us to be. May we never be afraid to ask for
your help especially when we are not sure which way to go. Give us the strength
to not be troubled by the anger and negativity of the world, but to have faith
and hope in you. Grace us with the energy to live life with truth and
authenticity. Amen!
A Runner’s Thoughts: Oprah Winfrey once
said, “Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it
what you put into it.” So as we run
today let us put God into our run.
Daily Blessing: Friday
Blessings to everyone! Yes, we have made it through another week and we can take
a deep breath and say, “Thank God it is Friday!” I hope you have had a good
week and that your weekend will be a reward for all your hard work this week.
If not, if this week has not gone so good or the weekend means no rest and more
work just hang in there, better days are ahead!
We come to the end of our chapter this
morning and all will be heading back to our various houses around the province
later this morning. It has been a long and at times intense week for us here in
West Hartford, but all in all it has been a good week.
I will only be stop at my Pelham home
for an overnight, an emptying and repacking of my suitcase as I will be heading
to Harrisburg, PA on Saturday morning to begin a Forty Hours Devotion this
weekend through Tuesday. I will be preaching all the masses at St. Patrick’s
Cathedral in Harrisburg on Saturday and Sunday and then preaching the Forty
Hours Devotion on Monday and Tuesday evenings. So I jump right back in to
ministry and for me that is a good thing!
So my prayer for blessings today is that
where ever you are and whatever you are doing today you may be blessed with the
thought and reality that rest and relaxation is the order of your weekend and that
you will get through today with a sense of accomplishment that your week has
been a good one. May it be graced with the presence of good people today and
may God gift you always with his joy and love! Peace in the Christ’s Passion
and Hope in the Risen Lord…Fr. Paul
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