Daily Thoughts: I have always
had a special affection for our feast today, the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.
Perhaps it goes back to my childhood, when in the first and second grade we
always had to save room at our desk for our guardian angel. It was one way that
the good Felician Sisters taught us about the spiritual life but it also helped
them keep order in classroom, for you see if we kept a space on our seats for
our guardian angel then the theory was we would not bother the person sitting
next to us. I have to say, sometimes it worked but most of the time it didn't!
Last night another childhood memory came
to mind. One of my favorite movies as a kid was Angels in the Outfield, (the
original 1951 version with Paul Douglas, Janet Leigh, Keenan Wynn, the voice of
James Whitmore and cameo appearances by Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio and Bing Crosby,
just to name a few). I loved the movie because it took place in Pittsburgh and
centered around the woeful Pittsburgh Pirates and how the Pirates overcame
their last place woes with the help of Heavenly Choir Nine, a celestial team of
deceased ballplayers, who began bestowing "miracles" upon the
Pirates—but only on the condition that their loud mouth manager Guffy McGovern
put a moratorium on swearing and fighting. It is a wonderful and funny story.
Perhaps it came to mind last night as I listened to my Pirates lose their playoff
game. I guess I wished that there had been a few angels in the outfield and
infield last night helping them.
The point of my walk down memory lane is
that the spirits of God's presence which we honor and celebrate today, Guardian
Angels, play an important role in our life. Whether we acknowledge them by
saving them a seat at our desk as a kid, or laugh and cry with them as
Hollywood brings them to life in movies like Angels in the Outfield or It's a
Wonderful Life, we all have had moments and experiences in life when we sense
that God has sent someone to help us. It might be a person who walks into our
life at the right moment to help us overcome a struggle, an obstacle, or a
difficult moment. Someone who gives us a good word that sends us on our way in
the right direction. Someone just lets us know that we are not alone, we are
loved, we are important, we are special and that makes all the difference at
that moment in our life.
Throughout the scriptures God sends his
spirits, his messengers, to help people on their journey of faith. Why should
this moment in time be any different? Why shouldn’t we believe that God sends
his spirits, his messengers into our lives from time to time to help us on our
journey?
I have shared this story with you before
but I think it is worth repeating again. A number of years ago I was running
the Boston Marathon. It was my second time running that marathon. I was at mile
25 and out of gas. I could barely walk. I was just trying to find any strength so
that I could keep moving forward. A young woman stepped off the sidewalk and
began to walk along side me. I didn’t know her. She asked me my name and then
put her hand on my shoulder and said, “You can do this! Let’s run!” She began
to run and so I began to run. She asked me if this was my first marathon and I
said “no.” She said, “Then you know that you can do this so let’s run!” And we
began to run faster. In the next moment as I seemed to get new energy I looked
to my side and she was gone. I never got a chance to ask her name or to say
thanks! I am sure it was my guardian angel just making sure I kept going. It is
something that she has done now for 60 plus years in many different ways. You
might say I have gotten her, “her wings,” many time over!
In the Gospel today (Matthew 18: 1-5,
10) Jesus reminds us that our angels are always looking upon the face of God.
In other words, they have got a special connection with God that someday we
just might need. So as you journey through today remember to save a little
space for your guardian angel and take a moment to thank her or him for the
journey so far! Have a great day everyone!
Daily Prayer:
Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom
God’s love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light
and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
A Runner’s Thoughts:
“Your body will argue that there is no
justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit…”
(Tim Noakes, Lore of Running)
“Spirit has fifty times the strength and
staying power of brawn and muscle.” (Anonymous)
By my estimates that makes our guardian
angels pretty strong so perhaps we should call upon them often as we run!
Daily Blessing: Happy Thursday
everyone! I hope the day has going well for you, if not hang in there, home and
rest will come soon! It was a late night for me as I listened to the baseball
last night and then could not go to sleep. It was probably not a smart thing to
do in the midst of giving a retreat but then again I have been known not to do
smart things from time to time.
The rain continues here in Willimantic,
CT. It rained all day yesterday and today looks like more of the same. I am
hoping like yesterday it will stop for a while so I can get a walk in. The
retreat continues to go well. There is a nice spirit and the men on retreat
seem happy with my words of Good News each day. Please continue to keep the men
on retreat in your prayers and if you can spare an extra prayer for the preacher
it will be greatly appreciated.
I would like to send a shout out to the
newest member of Knichel Family in Davidson, NC, Andrew Henry Knichel born on
Oct. 1st at 12:36 am. Welcome Andrew and my you, your mom, dad and
two sisters be blessed today and always!
In my prayers this morning I ask God’s
blessing upon you as you continue your journey of faith and life today! May
love and laughter touch you today, and warm your heart and accompany you on
your journey through life. May good and faith filled people touch your life,
wherever you go. May love and peace
bless your world with joy that long endures. May the closing of this day bring
you rest and comfort in the company of those you most love and may God bless
you this day and always!
Friends let us keep in our prayers those
who are finding it hard to encounter God’s blessing and grace today. Peace in
Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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