Daily Thoughts: As I was
reflecting on the readings this morning getting ready for the closing mass of
the retreat two thoughts came to mind.
The first was a quote that I have always
liked from Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ. – “Someday, after mastering the
winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies
of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, man will have
discovered fire.”
And the second is a prayer written by
St. Ignatius of Loyola, SJ. – “Take Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my
understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. You have given
all to me. To you, O Lord, I return it. All is yours, dispose of it wholly
according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace, for this is enough
for me.”
Perhaps this is my Jesuit day with these
two quotes but in reading the Gospel this morning these words of two great
Jesuits came to mind. In the Gospel Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love
me?” and three times Peter says, “Yes!” Our relationship, our friendship with
God centers on love, God’s love for us and our love for God.
This exchange between Jesus and Peter
along the shore of the Sea of Galilee after the Resurrection puts an
exclamation point of their relationship and sends Peter out into the world to
discover the energies of love, to discover fire once again all in the service
of God!
Love is only realized, only understood
in terms of action. How we live it out determines it power and presence. If
Peter loves Jesus then he must live that love out, he must share it with the
people of God and so must we!
Have a great day everyone and don’t
forget to make a joyful noise as you share your love for God today with others!
Daily Prayer:
Take, Lord, receive all our liberty
Our memory, understanding, Our entire
will.
Give us only your love and your grace,
that's enough for us
Your love and your grace are enough for us.
Take, Lord, receive all we have and possess.
You have given all to us, now we return
it.
Take, Lord, receive, all is yours now
Dispose of it wholly according to your
will.
(Adapted from the song Take Lord Receive by Fr. John Foley, SJ)
A Runner’s Thoughts: Remember
running is not just conquering, hills, distance, weight, injury, illness or
pain. Running is most often conquering ourselves. We can try to do it alone but
it is so much easier when we let others journey with us and we are always at
our best when we run with God!
Daily Blessing: TGIF everyone!
I hope your day is starting out well. The retreat here in San Angelo, TX is coming
to an end this morning. It has been a good week but a long one for me. Eleven
talks and four homilies is a workout! I don’t think I have another thought left
in my brain. But that is the life of an itinerant preacher and I will find
another thought to share with those gathered for the retreat as we celebrate
the closing mass in a couple of hours.
Again I ask you to keep these good men
in your prayers as they return to their parishes hopefully nourished and
enlivened with the Spirit of God’s love. If you could also say a little prayer
for me that I will catch the Spirit of God’s love myself and give it life on this
last morning of retreat. I will be traveling back to New York tomorrow!
May God bless all of you this day with
the Spirit of Love and through your work, your travels and your interaction
with others may Jesus truly know that “Yes, you do love him!” Blessings on your
Friday and may it lead to a restful and peaceful weekend. Peace in Christ’s
Passion and Joy in the Risen Lord…Fr. Paul
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