Daily Thoughts: I have a couple
of thoughts to share with you today…
As I pondered the Gospel (Mark 3: 22-30)
early this morning a thought came to mind, though I am not sure it is a
theological thought anyone would agree with me on. When I read Jesus' answer to
the charge that "He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of
demons he drives out demons,” I thought about our world, our country and our
Church. We seem to be a house divided a lot of the time. Certainly we seem to
be divided in our country on many levels, especially politically and we are divided
in our Church on many levels. Does this mean we are doomed to failure? Is there
no hope?
Well I think the answer and hope can be
found in the closing sentences of the Gospel, "Amen, I say to you, all
sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever
blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty
of an everlasting sin.”
That might not sound like a hopeful
answer but I think it is. Jesus says it is about the Spirit. I think in our
country and in our Church, yes we are divided but we are focused on the same
spirit. The divisions in our country are about how to make it better, how to be
better Americans, we all want the same thing, the same spirit, and we all want
this to be a good country we are divided on how to get there. In our Church we
are divided on many issues but we are all focused on the same Spirit, the same
God, the same end, eternal life, we are just divided on how to get there.
It is the Spirit that can give us hope
in the midst of our struggles, in the midst of our divisions as a nation and a
Church. All hope is lost if we lose the Spirit. As Jesus says if we deny the
Spirit we cannot be forgiven. Perhaps as a nation and a Church we might stop
for moment today and recognize the Spirit we all want and let the Spirit begin
to help us bridge our divisions, our differences, our struggles. Let us live
today through the Spirit of Hope who does marvelous deeds!
I did not want to look pass our feast
today, the Memorial of St. Paul’s friends, Timothy and Titus, so my second
thoughts comes out of our first reading. In the reading from St. Paul's Second
Letter to Timothy, Paul says to Timothy, "For this reason, I remind you to
stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my
hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and
love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord...but
bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from
God." I love the first line of this section of the letter, "stir into
flame the gift of God." In other words be alive, be energized, be excited
about the gift of your friendship with God. I have often thought this would be
a good quote to begin each day with among others.
So friends as you make your way through
this day, stir your gift from God into the flame of life and don't worry if
people think you are out of your mind because you are not alone!
Have a great Monday everyone!
Daily Prayer: O God of all
life, help us to stir your gift into the flame of life and direct our hearts throughout
this day in your wonderful Spirit of hope. So that we may always know it is you
at the center of all we are, all we want, and all we are meant to be. Keep us
always faithful to your everlasting Spirit of Life that we might overcome our
differences and become a house united in your Love. Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: Remember if you
run towards God, God runs twice as fast towards you. Thus, to draw closer to
God it is only necessary to move in God's direction!
Daily Blessing: Happy Monday
everyone! I hope you had a good, if not great, weekend. It has turned very cold
here in Pelham and the snow and wind has started early. They say it is going to
be quite a powerful Nor’easter and that we are in for a lot of snow. So I hit the store this morning along with
everyone else in Pelham and now all I have to do is sit back and watch. One
bonus is that because only two of us are home I get to put my car in the
garage. So if you live here in the Northeast stay safe and warm and if you live
elsewhere thank you lucky stars!
Before I offer a blessing prayer for all
of us I would like to remember all women out there with the name Lois and
Eunice. You got a special mention today in the first reading from Paul's Second
Letter to Timothy because as the grandmother and mother of Timothy Paul thinks
you did a great job! So many blessing today to all those who are named Lois and
Eunice especially if you are moms and grand moms! And though the intersession
of Timothy’s Lois and Eunice a special blessing on all Moms and Grandmothers!
My prayer of blessing today is a simple
one but hopeful one that helps all of us begin a new week that will be rich in
God’s love. Many blessings on everyone's day today may it be filled with many
moments of grace, hope and God's love! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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