Daily Thoughts: We come this
morning to the Feast of St. Agatha, one of the early martyrs of the Church.
What we know about her is mostly legend. We do know that she died in Sicily
during the Decian persecution around the year 250. It is alleged that she was sent
into a brothel to force her to give up her faith. But she refused and was then
sent to prison where she was tortured and died. Her intervention was credited
with stilling the eruption of Mount Etna the year after she was buried. Today
we call upon her intersession and seek her strength in our own journey of
faith.
Our readings today talk about trust,
especially trust in the promises of God. In the Letter to the Hebrews the
author reminds the community and us that a relationship with God can be a
struggle. Down through our story of faith things have not always gone smoothly.
The community has not always followed God invitation. We have often gone in our
own direction. God has sent prophets to get us back on the right road but it
hasn't always been easy.
It takes trust to make our relationship
work. We have to learn to let go and let God. For us human beings that is not
always easy. We want to be in control and yet as we have learned God's ways are
not always our ways so faith demands trust in God. We need to trust that God is
leading us down the right road!
Jesus in the Gospel today is trying to
teach the twelve the value to trust. He sends them out to preach, teach and
heal but they cannot take anything with them. The have to trust, trust the
communities that they go to and trust that Jesus will be with them. The twelve
find out that if they trust good things happen. They cast out demons, they
heal, they are able to proclaim the Good News.
So as we journey through our day let us
take each step today trusting in God so as we live this day good things will
happen.
Have a great Thursday everyone!
Daily Prayer: O God, strengthen
the gift of your hope within us so that we may trust in your presence as we
live our life today. Graciously, enliven our faith with your presence that we
bring you to everyone we meet. Help us with your grace to know that our faith
is the beginning and you love is the end and that we bring to two together by
living our life in hope! Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: Remember our
faith is like running the journey is rarely a straight line. There are often
hills, valleys and bumps in the road but we must always make the choice to keep
looking ahead because God is always right around the corner!
Daily Blessing: I hope everyone’s
Thursday has started off well. I am off again in a few minutes to our community
in Jamaica, NY to continue the process of reviewing candidates for the next
group of Passionist International Volunteers. It is an interesting process and
there seem to be a lot of very good candidates.
Many blessings on your Thursday, may it
be a good one. As you wonder through this day keep the energy high and don't
let the everyday struggles get you down. I pray today that God will bless us
all with much hope, strong faith and many measures of love! Enjoy the day, stay
warm, be safe and above all may you be graced with the presence of God
throughout the your day. Have a great Thursday everyone! Peace in Christ's
Passion...Fr. Paul
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