Daily Thoughts: Our readings
today (Galatians 5: 18-25 and Luke 11: 42-46) focus on two things – living in
the Spirit and judging others. We are challenged by our scriptures today to not
be judges but to be people of compassion, to be people of the Spirit.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer speaks to Paul and
Jesus’ message today with his own reflection. “Judging others makes us blind,
whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own
evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.” Love and
grace of gifts of the Spirit and they help us not to be blind judges but to be
people of generosity, kindness, joy, peace and faithfulness.
As does Henri Nouwen with his word; “As long as we continue to live as if we are
what we do, what we have, and what other people think about us, we will remain
filled with judgments, opinions, evaluations, and condemnations. We will remain
addicted to putting people and things in their "right" place.” In
other words, we will place burdens on others and certainly not be people of the
Spirit.
The question that we might ask ourselves
today is do we want to be blind and addicted? Hopefully not – which means we
need to remember let God be the judge and every time we are tempted to point
out another’s fault, we should think of our own shortcomings. If we approach
life this way we will be graced by God’s mercy and patience, we will be living
in the Spirit!
Have a great day everyone!
Daily Prayer: Christ has no
body but ours, no hands, no feet on earth but ours, ours are the eyes with
which he looks compassion on this world, ours are the feet with which he walks
to do good, ours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Ours are the hands, ours are the feet,
ours are the eyes, we are his body. Christ has no body now but ours, no hands,
no feet on earth but ours, ours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on
this world. Christ has no body now on earth but ours. (Adapted from a prayer by
St. Teresa of Avila)
A Runner’s Thoughts: Running can be
so symbolic of life and faith. In running like in life we have to drive
ourselves to overcome the obstacles. At times we feel that we just cannot do
it. But then we find an inner strength, an inner presence and realize that we
are capable of so much more than we thought. And like in faith when we run we
often realize that we are not alone. That God runs with us!
Daily Blessing: Happy Hump Day
everyone! It doesn’t quite feel like a usual Wednesday because of Monday being
a holiday but we are still at the midpoint of our work week so let’s celebrate!
Also happy feast of St. Teresa of Avila – may her spirit and faith enliven
yours today. Things here at Sacred Heart in Mount Holly are fine and I am into
the swing of parish life. I hope your
day is going well and moving quickly. I hope it is filled with many good
experiences and a people. If it is not then trust in who you are and that even
though life and people might seem like a struggle you are making the day a good
day for anyone who encounters you!
My friends my God’s blessing be upon you
today and always. May the richness of who you are as a person created in the
image and likeness of God touch the lives of all you meet. May you bring God’s
presence to every experience and each moment of this day. May the world you
journey through be a better place because of you today. And at the end of the
day may you smile with the tired satisfaction that because of you today was a
good day! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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