Daily Thought: I have two
thoughts about the scripture today, one is my own the other is from a
reflection I heard from one of my brother Passionist a couple of years ago.
Both thoughts I think have a similar focus...
Now I am not a big fan of the Book of
Revelation. I have always found it a tough read and an even tougher preach!
Yet, early this morning a line in today's reading struck me, "Yet, I hold
this against you: you have lost the love you had at first." The Lord has
just praised the Church of Ephesus for a number of good things it has done
however, the Lord is upset because the community has lost its initial fervor,
its first love!
I think this struck me because I always
remember some advice given me just after I was ordained by a wonderful older
Passionist who was in the last years of his life. One day shortly have I was
ordained he appeared at the door of my room and said, "Son, I don't have a
lot to offer you these days but I will give you a bit of advice, always
celebrate mass as if it is your first and your last!" I have always
remembered this and certainly every time I have celebrated mass I have tried to
celebrate as if it is my first and last mass. Yet, I know sometimes I don't
have the initial energy, that first love that I had the day of my first mass. I
don't have that sense of urgency that I would have if it were my last mass.
Whether it is the powerful images of the Book of Revelation or a saintly
Passionist wisdom figure the message is the same from God, "stay in love
with me and live out of that love!"
At a community mass a couple of years
ago one of my brother Passionist reflected on today's Gospel and he challenged
us with the point that sometimes we would prefer not to see. The blind man in
the Gospel wants to see but sometimes we find it easier not to see, it means
less responsibility, less hurt or pain, less expectations on us. If I look into
my own life I would have to say his observation is true. I think there have
been times when I really didn't want to see, it was easier not to!
If we can find and enliven that first
love for God, others and ourselves then we will always want to see! Or perhaps
if we ask God in faith to see then our first love will once again come to life!
May this day be one of seeing and rich in energy grounded in love!
Have a great day everyone!
Daily Prayer: God of Great
Mystery, Giver of all good gifts, enliven our hearts with that first love of
you, so that we might see all that is good in our world, in one another and in
ourselves. Deepen our sense of reverence for you and for all of life. Nurture
in us what is good and grace us in your ever loving care this day and always!
Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: "Run to
glory, or at least to the end of the block!" or "Would we be doing
any of this if Pheidippides had been in just a little better shape?" (Bob
Schwartz)
Daily Blessing: Welcome to
Monday everyone! I hope you had a restful, relaxing and or productive weekend.
Perhaps just resting and relaxing was the productivity that you needed! We have
entered the last full week before the holiday season begins. It is hard to
believe that Thanksgiving is approaching and Christmas and the New Year will
not be far behind. I pray today that the holidays will not come and go too
quickly and that all of us will find the time to be thankful and enjoy the
gifts of family, friends and the presence of God in our life. Yes, you will
have to give a lot of time to shopping and preparing but also try to give some
time to God throughout this holiday season!
My prayer of blessing for everyone today
is that during our journey through Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas and the New
Year God will bless us with the grace of a first love, of the gift of sight so
that we might let go of the demons of hate, racism, anger, bigotry and vengeance
so that we might see all people as God’s gifts and have a faith that not only
saves us but that brings peace to our life and the life of the world! Have a
wonderful day and many blessings to see and love today and always! Peace in
Christ's Passion…Fr. Paul
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