Daily Thoughts: “Let your ‘Yes’
mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’” Words of wisdom from today’s Gospel
(Matthew 5:33-37). Yet, they are also words that at times are hard to live out.
I know at times in my life I tried to hedge my bet, not wanting to commit
because something better might come along. Not wanting to be honest because it
felt like it might hurt someone. Not wanting to be straight forward because I
might look bad.
Yet to be honest, straight forward,
committed is what we are asked to be as people of faith by Jesus today. We are
asked to let go of what others, what the world thinks and be faithful to
ourselves, to others and to God. It might not be the easiest way but it is God’s
way.
Elisha learns this in our first reading
today (1 Kings 19: 19-21). He is invited by Elijah to be God’s prophet but he
comes up with all kinds of what seem to be good excuses to wait. All God wants
is a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No.’ Elisha finally realizes that he must let go of his
excuses and go all in. He realizes that he must trust God. Trust the new life
ahead of him.
Jesus invites us to trust the new
life. He teaches us to simply be honest,
to be women and men of integrity. In
Jesus, we come to know that trusting in God means letting go of the need to
prove ourselves, whether by fancy oaths, cunning wordplay, or otherwise. Instead, we allow God to be our guiding-
light, always before us.
So let’s go all in today and make a
joyful noise with our life! Have a great Saturday afternoon and evening
everyone!
Daily Prayer: God of all
life, there are days when the burdens we carry weigh heavy on our shoulders and
wear us down; when roads seem long, dreary and endless, the skies gray and threatening;
when our lives have no music in them and our hearts are lonely, and our souls
have lost courage. Bless us on these days with a path flooded with your light
and hope, turn our eyes to where the skies are blue and full of promise, grace
our feet with the energy that will bring us home, and life the burdens from our
shoulders so that we may embrace life with joy and love! Amen! (Adapted from a
prayer by St. Augustine of Hippo)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “Always make a
total effort, even when the odds are against you.” (Arthur Ashe)
Daily Blessing: Saturday
afternoon blessings to all! I hope your Saturday is off and running or walking
or resting in a good way. It is a sunny and very pleasant day here in Pelham
and I am enjoying the peace and quiet of an empty house.
I awoke to sad news this morning, Chuck
Noll the Hall of Fame coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s and 80s
pass away last night at his home in Pittsburgh. Being a very small part of
Steeler Nation and growing up during the 60s and 70s Mr. Noll because a symbol of
a great era in Steeler history. He was not a loud, in your face, always on TV
kind of coach. He did do commercials, he was a classy, quiet, faith filled man.
I remember him for the great memories, for all that he did for Pittsburgh, for
the Steelers and for everyone he met. Thanks, Mr. Noll, rest in peace with God!
My prayer of blessing today is that God
will bless your Saturday with joy, energy, fun, rest, relaxation and peace.
That if you need to be traveling today that God will bless you with safe
travels that if you need to be working today God will bless you with the energy
to work quickly and productively. May God bless you today with family, friends,
smiles, laughter and love! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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