Daily Thoughts: “The Church
which “goes forth” is a community of missionary disciples who take the first
step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice. An
evangelizing community knows that the Lord has taken the initiative, he has
loved us first (cf. 1 Jn 4:19), and therefore we can move forward, boldly take
the initiative, go out to others, seek those who have fallen away, stand at the
crossroads and welcome the outcast. Such a community has an endless desire to
show mercy, the fruit of its own experience of the power of the Father’s
infinite mercy. Let us try a little harder to take the first step and to become
involved. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. The Lord gets involved and he
involves his own, as he kneels to wash their feet. He tells his disciples: “You
will be blessed if you do this”” (Pope Francis – Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of
the Gospel)
Pope Francis words today might not seem
like they touch on our readings but they do. Pope Francis challenges us to be
people of the world, to be people who get down and dirty with those around us.
We are to be people of mercy and compassion. We are to be people who find the
good in others even if they have done us wrong. We are to be people who bring
joy to the world.
Sometimes this can be a difficult task.
When others hurt us our natural response is to keep them at a distance, to wait
for their apology, to seek justice, to wait for repayment, to hold on to the
hurt. However, Jesus challenges us to be people who seek reconciliation, who
offer forgiveness, who move beyond the hurt, who are people of service and joy.
In today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:20-26)
Jesus teaches us about sin. He does not talk about mortal sin and venial sin.
Jesus just talks about sin. The things we do, don’t do, the things we say or
don’t say that hurt our relationship with God. Sin as Jesus speaks about it is
not hierarchical it is on a continuum, anger at one end, killing someone at the
other. If we do not deal with our anger we are headed down the wrong road. So
in the Gospel today Jesus asks us to look at all our faults, our failings, our
struggles with others whether they are small or great. He asks us to seek
forgiveness and to be compassionate so that we remain on the right road.
In other words we are to reach out to
others, to serve other, to bring the gift of god’s joy to others. And if we
live life this way we will be blessed!
Have a blessed Friday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Good Jesus, the
author and encourager of peace, love and goodwill, soften our hard and steely
hearts, and warm our frozen and icy hearts, so that we may wish well to one
another today and that we may be true disciples and friends of Jesus. Give us
the grace even now to begin to reveal that heavenly life, where there is no
hatred but rather peace and love everywhere. Amen! (Adapted from a prayer by Juan Luis (Ludovicus) Vives)
A Runner's Thoughts: “We run to undo
the damage we've done to body and spirit. We run to find some part of ourselves
yet undiscovered.” (John Bingham)
With this in mind let us run no matter
what circumstances we encounter. There are lessons to be learned from running
in various emotional states, just as there are when running in different
environmental settings. Let's not shy away from running in an unaccustomed
state of mind or an unusual situation. Opportunities for encountering God often
are found in the unfamiliar.
Daily Blessing: Friday greetings
and blessings to all! I hope you will have a wonderful end to the work week
that it will lead you into a relaxing and restful weekend.
I like to send a shout out to my longtime
friend, Peggy Walsh- Kinamore, who is celebrating her birthday today! Happy
Birthday Peggy! Many blessings today and always!
Tomorrow I will be heading to St. John
the Evangelist Parish in Mahopac, NY to celebrate a mission. I will be
commuting each day about an hour’s ride so I will get to sleep in my own bed
for the week which is a good thing when you send a lot of time on the road! I just
pray that the weather holds and that I am not driving back and forth in ice and
snow!
I pray for God’s blessing on all of you
today that in some way you will have a day graced with the wonderful spirit of
God that you will be blessed with the richness of God’s presence in your life
in some way. May your day be blessed with successful travel, wonderful
interaction with people, quite refreshing moments, nourishment that energizes
you and moments that remind you of God’s love and joy! Be well everyone and if
you can take some time to enjoy life joyful way! Peace in Christ's
Passion...Fr. Paul
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