Daily Thoughts: We encounter
the famous story of Zacchaeus in today's Gospel (Luke 19:1-10). Zacchaeus had
to liabilities, one he was short and the other was that he was a tax collector.
Now he could not do anything about his
shortness, that was with him to stay. Being a tax collector seemed to be his
choice. We do not know how he got the job or why he wanted it but it put him in
a bad light with many people and the religious leadership. He was seen as a
sinner, someone who sold out to the Romans and someone who was cheating his own
people just to get ahead in life.
However there was something honest and
interesting about Zacchaeus. When he heard that Jesus was in town, he wanted to
see him, catch a glimpse. So as the story goes he climbed a tree and we might
say the rest was history. Jesus saw him and invited him down for a closer look.
We find out through the conversation
between Jesus and Zacchaeus that Zacchaeus is trying to be an honest man and he
is willing to go the extra mile if he has hurt or harmed anyone by his position
and he is rewarded for his honesty and good heart as Jesus comes to his house.
Zacchaeus was able to take his
shortcomings, his liabilities and turn them into strengths. He was able to make
a positive situation out of what seemed to be a negative. All he need to do was seek out God in his life.
With this story Jesus once again reminds
us that good things, faithful things can come from unexpected situations and
people. Like Zacchaeus we need to be on the lookout for the presence of God in
our life and be bold when our chance comes to encounter that presence!
Have a great day everyone!
Daily Prayer: "The Cross
of My Lord, Be my Standard, Be my Comfort, Be the Answer to all dark questions,
The Light of all nights, The Sign that You have chosen us, The mysterious and
sure Sign that we are Yours for eternity. Amen." (By Fr. Karl Rahner,
S.J.)
A Runner's Thoughts: At first an
ordeal and then an accomplishment, the daily run becomes a staple, like bread,
or wine... or air. (Benjamin Cheever, author and Runner's World contributor) We
might also say that the daily run also becomes our prayer, our conversation
with God each day!
Daily Blessing: Happy Tuesday
everyone! I hope this finds you well and enjoying the gift of a new day. If
not, if things are a little rushed, disorganized and you feel like you have
gotten off on the wrong foot, hang in there, you are in my prayers and I will
take your struggles with me into my new day with the hope that all will be well
by the end of the day!
For those of us in many parts of the
country today while being a new day is also a cold day. I was standing outside
after mass on Sunday and a woman came up to me and said, “Winter is here!” and
I said, “Yes, it is and I am already tired of it!” It must be the fact that I
am getting old. I just really do not like the cold anymore. I have no plans to
move so I guess I should just smile and get one with life!
So in the midst of a cold wintery
morning let's go forward into this new day whether it has started off well or
not by asking for God's blessing on all that we will do and upon all whom we
meet but also let's ask God's blessing upon us that like Zacchaeus we will not
miss the gift of God in our life today!
Loving God, bless our families, our
friends and all your faithful people so that we, like Zacchaeus, will always
try to live your truth; express your love by our lives; share your passion by
our enthusiasm; take action with your grace; walk by faith; dance and sing to
the gift of your spirit and embrace your unimaginable blessings. Help us make
today worth remembering because we know that you created us out of love. God's
blessings on your day everyone! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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