Sunday, December 21, 2014

Daily Thoughts - 12/21/2014



Daily Thoughts: I began my homily last night by talking about the new television program called Scorpion. The show is inspired by a true story about a man named Walter O’Brien who has an IQ of 195. He has brought together a group of friends who are also brilliant and they work as a team helping Homeland Security. Each person on the team has a special gift. They solve problems not by fighting or the use of guns but with their intelligence.

However they have one major struggle as a team, they find it very difficult relating to people who are not as brilliant as themselves. Helping them with this aspect of life is Paige a young woman who is not intellectually brilliant like the others but she knows how to relate to people. Paige has a gifted son so the team helps Paige understand her son and she helps the team relate to people.

This might seem like an odd way to begin a homily but my point is that our readings today and at this time of year remind us of the human element in the story of the Incarnation. Yes, it is a mystery and yes, nothing is impossible for God. However, Mary’s yes; Joseph’s yes, the stories of Elizabeth and others long the way are important to us because they remind us of the need to have  faith, trust and hope in the presence of God. Like the character of Paige in the Scorpion the unexpected heroes and heroines of our faith story help us to understand God’s plan for us!

May we be God’s unexpected heroes and heroines who respond with a yes and bring God’s faith, hope, joy and love to a world that so desperately need it.

Have a faith filled Sunday everyone and don’t forget to give God a little time today!

Daily Prayer: O God of Christmas wonder, grace us with the humble caring faith and trusting wisdom of Mary. May we too listen to our hearts and respond to the angels of our lives so that we to will always say “yes” to God’s invitation as we continue our journey through this life to the gift of everlasting life. Amen!

A Runner’s Thoughts: “And while these pounds were being shed, while the physiological miracles were occurring with the heart and muscle and metabolism, psychological marvels were taking place as well. Just so, the world over, bodies, minds, and souls are constantly being born again, during miles on the road.”  (George Sheehan)

Daily Blessing: Sunday greetings to everyone! It is four days until Christmas and three days until we start celebrating the gift of Christmas Mass. I hope everyone is well today and the busyness of your Christmas preparations is winding down. A storm is approaching but they say the temperatures here will be mild so it will be all rain over the next couple of days. I hope where you are things will not be too bad especially if you have to travel during this upcoming week!

As we celebrate this Fourth Sunday of Advent, as we recall Mary’s positive respond to God’s invitation to be part of this great story let us ask God to bless us with the faith and trust of Mary.

Bless us, O God, in the loving spirit of Mary; bless us today body and soul; bless our dreams, our words and our actions; bless our journeys; bless all that we have and all that we are that we will always live our lives to your greater honor.

Bless us with the grace to be compassionate, forgiving and hopeful that all you have called us to be will bring about your presence in our lives and in the lives of all we meet. Help us to be gentle and kind especially when many around us are not.

Gift us with the grace to say “yes” even when we are unsure where it will take us. Help us to trust in your ever present love. Amen. Sunday blessings to all! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul

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