Daily Thoughts: I have always
been struck by John the Baptist’s words in the last line in today's Gospel,
"He must increase; I must decrease." What a meditation on faith! When
you think about it are not John’s words our challenge each day and perhaps our
hardest challenge?
The world around us tells us every day
to increase. Increase what we have, what we want, what we desire, what we need,
who we are! Our economy is built on increasing, increase spending so we can
increase building, producing, creating and thus increase profits. When we
finally leave home all we want to do is increase because the world tells us we
are defined by what we have, what we have achieved, what we own, what we have
accumulated. As is often quoted, "The one with the most toys wins!"
Yet, what John is telling us in the
Gospel today is that for us to be people of faith, we must decrease so that
Jesus, so that God, can increase in our lives. It is not about being the
greatest, the best, the biggest, the most powerful, or the most important. It
is about God. John had it all. He was liked, he was loved, he was important, he
was powerful, and he had all the attention. However, for him, all of this was
not as important as his relationship with God. He knew what he was about. He
knew his mission and it was time for God to be the most important focus and all
John could do was rejoice!
Sometimes we think God is not present,
God is always present, at home, at school, at work, in the government,
everywhere. The problem is not where is God – but that we have made ourselves
too big so we and others cannot see God!
Can we let go of the world, let go of
what the world says is important and let God? Can we recognize our mission, our
ministry, our relationship and let God be the focus. Can we decrease and let
God increase in our life and in the world? Tough questions for tough times, but
if we are willing the end result is great joy!
Have a great Saturday everyone!
Have a great Saturday everyone!
Daily Prayer: O God, take
delight in us this day! Each day you make us a new creation and so we pray that
with the grace you freely offer us each day we may always be found in the
likeness of Christ, a likeness that increases within us as we let go and let
you guide our life. Help us to rejoice in a life that is focused on your
presence, your grace, your mercy, your truth and your love! Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: Run today
recognizing the motion of life and flow with it, let go of all your
preconceptions of God, be open to the vast, unlimited opportunities to connect
with God in new and evolving ways as you run.
Daily Blessing: Saturday
greetings and blessings to all! I hope you are braving the cold well. It is a
cold but sunny day here in Pelham. The sun makes the cold just a little more bearable.
I hope you have at a little sun today wherever you are!
In a few hours I will be heading into
Manhattan as I have the 5 pm mass at St. Malachy’s this evening. If you happen
to be in the area come and join me as we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of
the Lord.
As I offer a prayer of blessing this
morning I continue to think of the people of France and all they have been
through these last few days. I am thinking of the innocent people who were so
tragically killed. I am thinking of all those who now mourn their loss. I am
thinking of all the fear, stress and terror that have gripped upon the people
of France these last few days. I am thinking of those who inflicted this
violence wondering why they hate so much? I am praying for all of them that
they might find peace!
And may God bless all of us this day
with the gift of his presence, his hope, his joy and his love. May God bless up
with the grace to trust in his presence so that like St. John the Baptist that
we might come to realize that we to must decease and let God increase today and
always.
Enjoy your Saturday everyone, have a
great day with many blessings, a little rest and much peace! Peace in Christ's
Passion...Fr. Paul
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