Daily Thoughts: “God is always
trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.” (St.
Augustine of Hippo) I was thinking about these words from St. Augustine in
terms of our Gospel today (Matthew 24: 42a, 44). Yes, I know that Jesus is focused
on the end time, whether it be his final coming or the day that God calls each
of us individually. Yes, we need to be awake and ready because not be ready,
not being awake has dreadful consequences, (see wailing and grinding of teeth).
However I believe Jesus words of “Stay
Awake!” or maybe put another way “Be Ready!” can be looked at another way.
Jesus might not be just talking about the end time or the day God calls each of
us home, he might also be talking about this moment and what we are missing if
we are not awake or ready. What graces? What joys? What blessings? What
experiences of God’s presence are we missing if we are not awake, if we are not
ready?
It is not always about the negative,
about the end time, about wailing and grinding of teeth. It is also about the
opportunities we miss each day, each moment of our life because God is trying
to give us good things but our hands are too full!
May the spirit of St. Augustine be with
you today. Have a great day!
Daily Prayer: O God, to know
you is life. To serve You is freedom. To praise you is the soul's joy and
delight. Guard us with the power of Your grace here and in all places. Now and
at all times, forever. Amen. (Adapted from a prayer by St. Augustine)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “The act of
running is simple, one foot in front of the other. The art of becoming a runner
is achieved through a new mindset and commitment to change, especially if it’s
new to you. It’s tough, challenging, painful, sometimes lonely, regularly
uncomfortable and often excruciating…but the rewards are second to none.” (Terry
Lander) And so too in the spiritual life…
Daily Blessings: Thursday greetings
to all! This is my last full day in Long Beach and what a beautiful day it is!
A breeze off the ocean, low humidity, sunny blues skies, what more could I ask
for. Tomorrow I begin my journey to St. Louis and another new adventure in the
living of life.
I would like to send a shout out to the
School Sisters of Notre Dame in the African Province. Today is the 3rd
Anniversary of the beginning of their province. It is an alive and growing
province and I would just like to say happy anniversary, many blessings today
and into the future. May the spirit of St. Augustine energize and enliven the
ministry, the work and the lives of all who call themselves School Sisters of
Notre Dame and who serve the people of Africa!
I hope your day has started off well and
that you are getting a chance to enjoy the beauty of nature where you are
today! My
prayer of blessing for all you today is that our Loving God, the giver of all
good gifts, will bless you today with hearts that love you, so that by deepening
your sense of respect and reverence for yourself you may nurture within yourselves
and others only what is good. May God bless you with a watchful care throughout
this day so that wherever you go and whatever you do it will be in, and through
and with God. May God bring you home safe to those you love that you might
celebrate the gift of family, of friendship, of community, of your love so that
your sleep will be restful and you will be energized to welcome tomorrow! May
God bless you with the spirit of St/ Augustine as you journey through this day!
Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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