Daily Thought: 02/21/2014

Daily Thoughts: “Always remember this: life is a journey. It is a path, a journey to meet Jesus…. A journey in which we do not encounter Jesus is not a Christian journey. It is for the Christian to continually encounter Jesus, to watch him, to let himself be watched over by Jesus, because Jesus watches us with love; he loves us so much, he loves us so much and he is always watching over us. To encounter Jesus also means allowing oneself to be gazed upon by him. “But, Father, you know,” one of you might say to me, “you know that this journey is horrible for me, I am such a sinner, I have committed many sins... how can I encounter Jesus?” And you know that the people whom Jesus most sought out were the greatest sinners; and they reproached him for this, and the people — those who believed themselves righteous — would say: this is no true prophet, look what lovely company he keeps! He was with sinners... And he said: I came for those in need of salvation, in need of healing. Jesus heals our sins. And along the way Jesus comes and forgives us — all of us sinners, we are all sinners — even when we make a mistake, when we commit a sin, when we sin. And this forgiveness that we receive in Confession is an encounter with Jesus. We always encounter Jesus.” (Pope Francis)


Daily Prayer: O God creator of all good things, you are our light and our salvation, whom should we fear. You are the stronghold, the rock of our life, of whom should we be afraid? Help us as we live each day by discerning what is right and true, by taking comfort and always hoping in you. Guide us along your right path knowing that you are always with us and you will never leave us to face life alone. Amen!


Runner’s Thoughts: Let us try to make our runs spiritual, remembering as we run God is our strength, God is the breath we take, God is our footpath, and God is our finish line!


Daily Blessing: Happy Friday afternoon everyone! Well we have made it to the end of another week. Once again for many it has been a long week of battling snow, rain, ice and cold. We are getting a respite but they say at least the cold is coming back next week. Well, it is winter but I do long for spring!  


Sorry, I am a little late today with my postings. Just spending the day try to get caught after being on the road for three weeks. I forgot about a credit card bill coming while I was gone and now I am overdue. I hate paying those interest charges and late fees!   
I took time to remember my dear friend, Roseann, today would have been her 71^st birthday. It is hard to believe we have been without her for two and a half years. I know she is with us in spirit but I wish she was with us to celebrate today. May she look upon us with her smile and may we hear her laughter!


My prayer today is for God’s blessings upon all of you wherever you are and in whatever you are encounter today. I pray you stay safe, warm, and have a great day. May you find the richness of God’s presence in your life today and always. Also I pray that the end of this day will bring you to the beginning of a restful and enjoyable weekend. Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul

Daily Thoughts - 02/19/2014

Daily Thoughts: Today, we are gifted with a great reading that allows us to reflect on our relationship with God. The first reading from the Letter from James offers to us very good advice. James writes that “everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger for anger does not accomplish the righteousness of God.” It reminds us of the importance of listening before we speak a quality that sometimes we forget about. I someone telling me long ago that “God gave us two ears and one mouth, so, use them accordingly.”

James reminds us today of the need to listen before we speak, to not live life in anger and to make sure that what we believe is seen in our actions. We live a life often clutter with noise – the computer, the iPod, TV, radio and a whole lot more. This can all be very good for us but it can also distract us and distract us from our relationship with God.

I have always felt that God tries day in and day out, moment in and moment out to speak to us, to connect with us, yet we are so overstimulated by other things that we do not have time to hear what God has to say. Thus, what James has to say to us today is important. We need to take time and listen not to the distractions around us but to our hearts, to the presence of God in the world around us. We need to unplug every once in a while!

James reminds us also and perhaps most importantly, that we should not only hear the word of God, but we need to act on it. And what better way to act than to unselfishly care for those most in need. In doing this, we humbly welcome God’s words.

Have a great Wednesday afternoon and evening everyone!

Daily Prayer: Lord God, help us to slow down and to listen so that we can become your instrument of peace. So that when we encounter hatred, we will bring love. So that when we encounter injury, we will help with forgiveness. So that when we encounter doubt, we will offer faith. So that when we encounter despair, we will be bringers of hope. So that when we encounter darkness, we will turn on the light. So that when we encounter sadness, we will offer joy.

O Loving Friend, grant that we will not always seek to be consoled but we will offer consolation. Grant that we will not always seek to be understood but we will be understanding people. Grant that we will not seek only to be loved, but we will be loving people.

For in listening to you we have come to believe that it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. (Adapted from the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi)

Runner’s Thoughts: Mother Teresa saw Christ in the face of everyone she met. It is possible to conduct a run that models her behavior. So as we run, let’s place a smile on our face and thus offer a blessing to everyone we meet on our run today!

Daily Blessing: Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope the first half of your day has started off well and that you are looking forward to a nice afternoon and a restful evening. I hope that those affected by the weather these last few weeks are getting a respite today it notice some milder temperatures across the nation.

The sun is shining here is Inverness and the temperature is in the 70’s and I have to admit I am really enjoy it. There is a great trail across the street from the parish that is 49 mile long. It is a great place to run, walk and bike. I have enjoy my runs. It will be hard to leave this tomorrow and return north but I have also been on the road for three weeks so It will be nice to empty the suitcase for a week and sleep in my own bed!

It has been a very nice mission here at Our Lady of Fatima. There have been nice crowds both in the morning and the evening. There is a good spirit here and the Holy Spirit has been at work throughout the week. Please continue to keep the faith community here at Our Lady of Fatima in your prayers and if you get a chance to add an extra prayer for their preacher it would be greatly appreciated.

I pray that you are not too busy today and there are moments to relax and just enjoy the gift of God’s presence in family, friends, people you work with, people you encounter in your journey through this day and in yourself!  May God bless you today and always – in the words from the Prophet Isaiah – with the strength to run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint and that you may soar through this day on eagles’ wings as people of faith who hope in God with strength renewed! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul

Daily Thoughts - 02/17/2014

Daily Thoughts: I found it interesting this morning as I was preparing for mass that in the first reading (James 1: 11) James begins his letter by tell the community to be patient and persevere in their faith. There are many struggles and trials in living a life of faith and the only way to overcome doubt is through patient perseverance.

Then we get to the Gospel (Mark 8:11-13) and Jesus gives us an example of patient perseverance. He is once again tested and challenged by the religious leaders. They want a sign. Now Jesus could have engaged the Pharisees in a heated argument. He could have performed a miracle for them, but he didn’t. Jesus just asked them a question. Why do you need a sign? Why can’t you just believe? Why can’t you recognize God in your midst?

Throughout Jesus’ ministry he was challenged, frustrated and questioned. Each time he confronted the situation differently drawing upon a wide range of human emotions. In today’s story it is the emotion of patience. He feels sorrow for the Pharisees. He is frustrated, but he takes a deep breath and simply asked them to think for a moment.

Perhaps today’s challenge in both the Letter of James and the Gospel of being patient and persevering is good food for thought for us. Can we be patient with those around us, with ourselves and with God? Can we persevere in this journey of life?

Have a great Monday everyone!

Daily Prayer: Loving God, teach us to have patient hearts and give us the grace to open our hearts to you so that we may persevere in our journey of faith today and always. Be our protector, our stronghold and guide us with your love. Amen!

Runner’s Thoughts: Remember the little miracles of God that we encounter during a run are not because we finish but are because we find the courage to begin!

Daily Blessing: I send Monday greetings to everyone! I hope your day has started off well and that you are not fighting nasty weather again. Hopefully you are getting to enjoy this holiday of Presidents Day. If not and you are at work I hope the day is going smoothly.

I am in Inverness, FL at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. My preaching at all the masses over the weekend to introduce the mission went well and our opening session this morning was great. Inverness is an interesting place. It is near Ocala and has a much different feel than Punta Gorda. I have to say I miss the water but there is a very nice trail for walking, running and biking here and I ran 7.5 miles on it yesterday. It was a beautiful run past a couple of lakes and through the sun drenched countryside. There are benefits to every place I visit and I am enjoying the ones I have found here.

Please keep the faith community at Our Lady of Fatima in your prayers this week and if you can add an extra one for their preacher I would appreciate it.

My prayer of blessing for you today is that your day will be rich in what matters to God. That every encounter, every journey, every experience and every person you meet will be blessed with God’s presence. I pray that you will have moments of peace that will help you to hear, feel and know that presence of God that is within you. Travel safe, smile often and know that you are a gift today and always! May you have many blessings throughout the day. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul