Daily Thoughts: “I long to see
your face, O Lord.” Perhaps our response today to the responsorial psalm says a
lot about why we are here and our readings. Elijah on the run from his own
people, discouraged, alone and wondering what is next, finds himself at the
entrance of a cave waiting to encounter God. All the loud, grand and obvious
experiences of God that we often long for just pass him by. It is in an
unexpected tiny whispering sound that God asks the question, “Why are you here?”
A good question, why are we here? It is
perhaps a question we might ask ourselves listening to the words of the Gospel
(Matthew 5:27-32). Words that might discourage us as they suggest tearing out
our eyes and cutting off our hands because they might cause us to sin. However
perhaps they are words that simply ask us to be honest with ourselves, words that
maybe ask us if we are caught up in the fear, hurt, anger, jealousy, loneliness
and fatigue of life.
Perhaps in the long journey, the often
struggling journey of life we get to a point when all we want to do is
encounter God, to see God’s face. We hope for the grand entrance, the profound
encounter and yet if we don’t pay attention we will miss the tiny whispering
sound that can bring us face to face with God. If we give into the world around
us, throw our hands up in hopelessness, it will seem like the only thing to do
is let go of this life because it is too hard, too difficult. How can we not
sin?
However, like Elijah, like those gather
around Jesus to hear his words, we must always remember that in the times of
struggle, difficulty and hopelessness, God is always there at times in the
grand encounters of wind, fire and a quaking earth but most often in the tiny
whispering sound of the experiences, people and world around us. God doesn’t
want us to give up, to despair or maim ourselves. God wants us to look around,
to be honest and know why we are here – to love serve and honor God through the
joyful living of life.
Sometimes it takes a tiny whispering
sound to get our attention. Sometimes it takes the stark reality of life to get
our attention. However once we are focused God’s face will always be right in
front of us and God’s presence will always be guiding our way!
Have a great Friday afternoon and
evening everyone!
Daily Prayer: O God, give us
insight into our friendships. Help us to see your gift of love, your presence
in them. Help us to be faithful friends to others, loyal, generous and kind.
Grant us the gift through our friendships to love and be loved. Bless our
friends this day and always with the richness of life and the faithfulness of
our love. Amen!
A Runner’s Thoughts: If we run as a
spiritual runner let us remember that it is being a runner that matters, it is
not how fast or how far we go. The joy, the gift is in running, in the journey
and not always in the destination. We have the best chance of encountering our
friend God, in the midst of our run when we remain focused in the present and
don’t think too far ahead! (I adapted this from a quote by John Bingham, the
author of No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running.)
Daily Blessing: TGIF everyone! I
hope your Friday has started off well and it will be a short one that will take
you into a relaxing and fun weekend. The rain and clouds are still hanging
around us here in Pelham; however they say sun is on the way for Saturday and
Sunday! I hope the skies will be brighter, the sun will be out and the weather
will be warmer where ever you are today and throughout this weekend!
To all fathers out there I pray that you
will have a great Father’s Day this Sunday. One that will remind you of the
gift you have been to so many in your life. May it be a day of rest, relaxation,
fun and the encounter of a tiny whispering sound called love! May it also be a
time of family and friends rich with smiles, laughter, good food and many
blessings.
My prayer today is that all will
encounter the wonderful tiny whispering sound of God’s presence in your life
today. That all of you like Elijah will be renewed in your journey, your
mission in life and that in being honest with yourself you will overcome fear,
hurt, anger, loneliness, jealousy and fatigue to be the person of joy, hope and
love that God has created you to be! Enjoy the rest of your Friday and know you
will all be in my prayers today and always. May your Friday afternoon be safe
and may your evening be blessed with rest and peace! Peace in Christ’s
Passion…Fr. Paul
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