Daily Thoughts - 10/04/2014

Daily Thoughts: Some of the thoughts and wisdom of and about St. Francis of Assisi.

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”(St. Francis of Assisi)

“Blessed is the servant who loves his [or her] brother [or sister] as much when he [or she] is sick and useless as when he [or she] is well and maybe of service to him [or her]. And blessed is he [or she] who loves his [or her] brother [or sister] as well when he [or she] is far off as when he [or she] is by his [or her] side, and who would say nothing behind his [or her] back he [or she] might not, in love, say before his [or her] face.”  (St. Francis of Assisi)

“The good Bishop of Assisi expressed a sort of horror at the hard life which the Little Brothers lived at the Portiuncula, without comforts, without possessions, eating anything they could get and sleeping anyhow on the ground. St. Francis answered him with that curious and almost stunning shrewdness which the unworldly can sometimes wield like a club of stone. He said, 'If we had any possessions, we should need weapons and laws to defend them.” (G.K. Chesterton, Saint Francis of Assisi)

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of one single candle.” (St. Francis of Assisi)

“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”(St. Francis of Assisi)

“It is not fitting, when one is in God's service, to have a gloomy face or a chilling look.” (St. Francis of Assisi)

“Always tell of God's love. If necessary, use words.”  (St. Francis of Assisi)

“We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer.”(St. Francis of Assisi)

St. Francis of Assisi is truly a man, a saint for all seasons! Have a blessed and peaceful Feast of St. Francis of Assisi!

Daily Prayer:

Lord, make us an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let us sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek

 to be consoled as to console,

 to be understood as to understand,

 to be loved, as to love.

For 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)

A Runner’s Thoughts: “Running is a thing worth doing not because of the future rewards it bestows, but because of how it feeds our bodies and minds and souls in the present.” (Kevin Nelson) Feed your soul today!

Daily Blessing: Happy Feast of St. Francis of Assisi everyone! It will be a busy day for me as I will be headed to Centerport, NY in about an hour to give a Day of Recollection to a group of women. If you get a chance please say a little prayer for the group that they have a faith filled day rich in God’s grace and blessings. And if you can spare an extra prayer could you also say one for their preacher!

May the gentle, loving and peaceful spirit of St. Francis be with you today! May the richness and beauty of God’s creation that St. Francis so loved, touch you as you walk through this day. May the grace of God’s loving presence that St. Francis so lived be present to you as you live through this day. And may the gentleness of God’s peace that St. Francis gave to the world, guide you through this day.

Have a wonderful day everyone! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul

Daily Thoughts - 10/03/2014

Daily Thoughts: “Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.” This response to the Responsorial Psalm for today mass seems like a fitting place to start as we consider today’s readings. It seems that Job has struck a nerve with God, who seems to stay, “Job, do you really know what being God is all about? Have you ever stood in my shoes, even for a day?” And Job responds, “Oops, I will shut up now!”

A nerve has been struck in Jesus too; the towns that are so much a part of his life and ministry just don’t get it. They don’t recognize the presence of God in their midst. Jesus has done all kinds of great things for them and yet they are slow to respond to his message. They have had the advantage and done nothing with it.

I am always been struck when this Gospel passage comes around that the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum exist no more. If you go to the Holy Land and visit the places where these towns once existed all you will find are ruins. For various reasons these town no longer have life, could it be because when they had the chance to be blessed, to celebrate the gift of God in their life, to follow along the everlasting way they missed it?

We often get focused on our own needs, thoughts, feelings, dreams and desires. In these moments at times we miss God invitation. We think we know better. We think we have it all figured out. We think we are in control, but we are not!

O God, I know I haven’t walked in your shoes. I know you have the words of everlasting life. Help us to see beyond ourselves. Guide us today and always along your everlasting way!

Have a great Friday everyone!

Daily Prayer: Loving God, May the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, be our touchstone, be our comfort, be our answer to all the dark questions. May the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, be the light of all nights, the sign that you have chosen us, the mysterious and sure sign that we are yours for all eternity. Amen!

A Runner’s Thoughts: “Running doesn't have to be monotonous if you put a little imagination into your step.” (Claire Kowalchik) – So to in the spiritual life…faith never has to be boring and imagination goes a long way in helping us discover God in our life!

Daily Blessing: TGIF everyone! I hope your Friday is starting off well and that it will be a life giving day which leads into a wonderful weekend. In about an hour we will celebrate the closing mass of the retreat and I will begin my two hour journey back home. I will have the rest of the day to do wash and get ready for a Day of Recollection I will be giving tomorrow in Centerport, NY. No rest for the wicked!

It has been a very good retreat and I seem to have touch on some topics that have spoken to the Oblates who have made to the retreat. Please offer a final prayer for these men that they can go back to their ministries and daily lives renewed and strengthened in God’s love.

I forgot to mention that a Passionist Associate, Florence Prisco, died earlier this week. She had been battling cancer and I had the chance to see her last Sunday. During our visit I was able to anoint her and give her the chance to receive communion. She was a wonderful woman and great supported of the Passionists, Florence, Rosalie and Carol where the prime movers of the Gethsemane Women’s Auxiliary at our former retreat house in Riverdale. Without them the house would have closed many years earlier. I pray that Florence is now at peace with Lindy, her husband and God and I thank God for the gift of her life!

My prayer of blessing for you today is that God will bless your journey through this day. May all the roads, subways, metros, sidewalks, hallways and paths you take today be smooth and not crowded, may the wind be gentle and always helping you along, may the sun shine warm upon your face helping you to smile, and if it rains may it fall gently as you journey and, until the sun rises again tomorrow, may God hold you and all you whom you love in the palm of His hand so nothing will harm you. Amen! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul

Daily Thoughts - 10/02/2014

Daily Thoughts: I have always had a special affection for our feast today, the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. Perhaps it goes back to my childhood, when in the first and second grade we always had to save room at our desk for our guardian angel. It was one way that the good Felician Sisters taught us about the spiritual life but it also helped them keep order in classroom, for you see if we kept a space on our seats for our guardian angel then the theory was we would not bother the person sitting next to us. I have to say, sometimes it worked but most of the time it didn't!

Last night another childhood memory came to mind. One of my favorite movies as a kid was Angels in the Outfield, (the original 1951 version with Paul Douglas, Janet Leigh, Keenan Wynn, the voice of James Whitmore and cameo appearances by Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio and Bing Crosby, just to name a few). I loved the movie because it took place in Pittsburgh and centered around the woeful Pittsburgh Pirates and how the Pirates overcame their last place woes with the help of Heavenly Choir Nine, a celestial team of deceased ballplayers, who began bestowing "miracles" upon the Pirates—but only on the condition that their loud mouth manager Guffy McGovern put a moratorium on swearing and fighting. It is a wonderful and funny story. Perhaps it came to mind last night as I listened to my Pirates lose their playoff game. I guess I wished that there had been a few angels in the outfield and infield last night helping them.

The point of my walk down memory lane is that the spirits of God's presence which we honor and celebrate today, Guardian Angels, play an important role in our life. Whether we acknowledge them by saving them a seat at our desk as a kid, or laugh and cry with them as Hollywood brings them to life in movies like Angels in the Outfield or It's a Wonderful Life, we all have had moments and experiences in life when we sense that God has sent someone to help us. It might be a person who walks into our life at the right moment to help us overcome a struggle, an obstacle, or a difficult moment. Someone who gives us a good word that sends us on our way in the right direction. Someone just lets us know that we are not alone, we are loved, we are important, we are special and that makes all the difference at that moment in our life.

Throughout the scriptures God sends his spirits, his messengers, to help people on their journey of faith. Why should this moment in time be any different? Why shouldn’t we believe that God sends his spirits, his messengers into our lives from time to time to help us on our journey?

I have shared this story with you before but I think it is worth repeating again. A number of years ago I was running the Boston Marathon. It was my second time running that marathon. I was at mile 25 and out of gas. I could barely walk. I was just trying to find any strength so that I could keep moving forward. A young woman stepped off the sidewalk and began to walk along side me. I didn’t know her. She asked me my name and then put her hand on my shoulder and said, “You can do this! Let’s run!” She began to run and so I began to run. She asked me if this was my first marathon and I said “no.” She said, “Then you know that you can do this so let’s run!” And we began to run faster. In the next moment as I seemed to get new energy I looked to my side and she was gone. I never got a chance to ask her name or to say thanks! I am sure it was my guardian angel just making sure I kept going. It is something that she has done now for 60 plus years in many different ways. You might say I have gotten her, “her wings,” many time over!

In the Gospel today (Matthew 18: 1-5, 10) Jesus reminds us that our angels are always looking upon the face of God. In other words, they have got a special connection with God that someday we just might need. So as you journey through today remember to save a little space for your guardian angel and take a moment to thank her or him for the journey so far! Have a great day everyone!

Daily Prayer:

Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

A Runner’s Thoughts:

“Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit…” (Tim Noakes, Lore of Running)

“Spirit has fifty times the strength and staying power of brawn and muscle.” (Anonymous)

By my estimates that makes our guardian angels pretty strong so perhaps we should call upon them often as we run!

Daily Blessing: Happy Thursday everyone! I hope the day has going well for you, if not hang in there, home and rest will come soon! It was a late night for me as I listened to the baseball last night and then could not go to sleep. It was probably not a smart thing to do in the midst of giving a retreat but then again I have been known not to do smart things from time to time. 

The rain continues here in Willimantic, CT. It rained all day yesterday and today looks like more of the same. I am hoping like yesterday it will stop for a while so I can get a walk in. The retreat continues to go well. There is a nice spirit and the men on retreat seem happy with my words of Good News each day. Please continue to keep the men on retreat in your prayers and if you can spare an extra prayer for the preacher it will be greatly appreciated.

I would like to send a shout out to the newest member of Knichel Family in Davidson, NC, Andrew Henry Knichel born on Oct. 1^st at 12:36 am. Welcome Andrew and my you, your mom, dad and two sisters be blessed today and always!

In my prayers this morning I ask God’s blessing upon you as you continue your journey of faith and life today! May love and laughter touch you today, and warm your heart and accompany you on your journey through life. May good and faith filled people touch your life, wherever you go.  May love and peace bless your world with joy that long endures. May the closing of this day bring you rest and comfort in the company of those you most love and may God bless you this day and always!

Friends let us keep in our prayers those who are finding it hard to encounter God’s blessing and grace today. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul

Daily Thoughts - 09/30/2014

Daily Thoughts: There is a story I heard over the weekend about a tourist who came too close to the edge of the Grand Canyon, he lost his footing and plunged over the side, clawing and scratching to save himself. Somehow he was able to grab hold of a small, shrubby bush. Filled with terror, he called out, “Is there anyone up there? Can anyone help me?” He heard a reassuring voice say, “I’m here: the Lord your God.”

The man said, “I am so glad you came along, I can’t hold on much long.” The Lord said, “Before I help you, I want to know if you believe in me.” The man answered,  “Lord, I certainly believe in you. I go to church every Sunday and sometimes even on Wednesdays. I read my bible, pray every day, and I always put my envelope in the collection.”

God replied, ‘But do you really believe in me?” The man was getting more desperate with every passing moment. “Lord, you can’t believe how much I believe in you. I truly believe!”

God said, “Good. Now let go of the branch.” The man stammered, But Lord…” And the voice of the Lord came back, “If you believe, let go of the branch.” A few moments of silence passed and then the man yelled, “Is there anyone else up there?”

A bit of humor on this Tuesday afternoon but I think it is humor that touches our first reading today from the Book of Job and our responsoral psalm, Psalm 88. Both Job and the psalmist seem to be crying out in their own way for somebody else. Things are not working out so well. Life is not going so good. They are trying to find purpose and meaning in the midst of struggle and difficulty.

We have all been Job, we have all been the psalmist, we have all been the tourist hanging on the ledge. Our challenge in those moments is to decide whether we are willing to let go and let God!

Have a good afternoon and a peaceful evening!

Daily Prayer:

O God, show us your mercy and gladden our hearts. We are like the person on the way to Jericho who was overtaken by robbers, wounded and left for dead. O Good Samaritan, come to our aid. We are like the sheep that went astray. O Good Shepherd, seek us out and bring us home in accord with your will. Let us dwell in your house all the days of our life and give you praise for ever and ever with those who are there. Amen. (Adapted from a Prayer of Saint Jerome for Christ's Mercy)

A Runner’s Thoughts: “When you first get a hill in sight, look at the top of it only once. Then imagine yourself at the bottom of the other side.” (Florence Griffith Joyner) So to in the spiritual life…when you encounter the challenges, struggles and difficulties of life look at what you must overcome only once and then imagine yourself embraced by God!

Daily Blessing: Tuesday afternoon blessing to all! I made my way to Willimantic, CT yesterday and about 25 Oblates and I began our retreat together last evening. It is a very nice group of men and the Immaculata Retreat House is on a very beautiful piece of property. I was out for a walk early this morning and wandered into a group of deer, who promptly ran off. It is overcast this afternoon and cool and I won’t be surprise if it rains but we are settled into the retreat so let it rain! Please keep this group of Oblate brothers and priests in your prayer as they make this journey of retreat and if you can spare an extra prayer for the preacher it will be greatly appreciated!

I would like to send a shout out to Josh and Emily Knichel, who live in North Carolina and who are at the hospital awaiting their third child. My prayers are with Emily that it will be a safe and beautiful delivery sometime today! Prayers for all in the Knichel family as they await the newest member of the family!

My prayer of blessing for all of you this afternoon is that God’s blessings will be upon all of you as you go through the rest of your day. May God bless all your endeavors, may God be with you in all of your challenges and in all of your struggles. May God bless you with the grace to trust in the presence of God that you carry within you and the courage not to be afraid to share your gift. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul