Daily Thoughts: “No one can
grow if he [or she] does not accept his [or her] smallness.” (Pope Francis)
With this thought Pope Francis seems to get at the heart of what Jesus is
saying in the Gospel today. If we don’t deal with our own faults and failings,
if we cannot see our own humanness how are we ever going to be able to grow
into the person God has created us to be and help others.
We cannot just look at others faults and
failings we need to start with our own. If we do we will have a better, more
compassionate understanding and view of the world. We will truly be able to
help not hurt others. The starting point for looking at and dealing with the
problems, struggles and sinfulness of the world is always ourselves. When we
can proclaim our faults, failings and our need for help, our need for
forgiveness we are on our way to being able to help and forgive others.
St. Augustine perhaps put the focus of
our Gospel today a little differently when he said, “God is always trying to
give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.” So let’s
put down what fills up our hands in this world, anger, resentment, the faults
and failings of others and receive the grace that God offers us and live in the
joy and love of God today!
Have a great day everyone!
Daily Prayer:
Circle us, O God.
Keep protection near and danger afar.
Circle us, O God.
Keep hope within and keep doubt without.
Circle us, O God.
Keep light near and darkness afar.
Circle us, O God.
Keep peace within and keep evil out.
Please, circle us, O God.
Keep our hearts in your loving hands and
let us hear your voice!
Amen. (Adapted from a prayer by David
Adam)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “Running, much
like life, [faith and the spiritual life], has its hills and valleys. On any
given run, and particularly in most marathons, we come across easy stretches
and seemingly impossible challenges. I have learned to just keep going. The
tough moments never last, and the easy stretches are always a joy. The same is
clearly true in life [in faith and the spiritual life], if we just keep going
we'll get to that finish line with water, massages, and bananas! [And
friendship with God!] (Main part of quote by Will Starr, Runner's World
Challenger of the Week – I add what is in the brackets)
Daily Blessing: Friday
greetings to all! I hope your day has started off well. I am off early this
morning as we begin a new year of taping for the Sunday Mass. We will be at it all
day as we will tape six masses today and then I head to the Franciscan Retreat
Center in Bethlehem, PA to give a weekend retreat to women. It will be a busy
few days for me but I hope as you finish today you will be heading into a nice
relaxing weekend!
I hope you will have a great Friday and
that you encounter many blessings today and much peace. My prayer for all of
you today is that you may be graced by God in whatever you do and may you will bring
God’s grace to whomever you meet! Work, pray, travel, study, laugh, cry, talk,
be silent, be intense or relax today rich in the blessing and presence of God. Peace
in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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