Daily Thoughts: Well our
scriptures today continue the theme that has been with us for the last few
days; it is the theme of looking beyond ourselves. We have in the Gospel today
the famous story of the rich man and Lazarus the poor man who sits at the rich
man door. Lazarus is covered in sores. At first glance we might it seems to be
the rich man wealth that is the problem and I am sure that many preachers have
taken that approach in preaching about this Gospel. However, at closer
inspection it is not wealth that is the problem it is the rich man's way of
life, it is how he lives. It is how he uses his wealth. He fails to see Lazarus
at his door and if he does see him he ignores him.
In the Gospels when Jesus talks about
wealth it is never to condemn the person just because they have wealth it is
always about what we do with it. Do we hoard it? Do we only care for ourselves?
Or do we see the world and the needs of the world? Do we let our wealth work
for the betterment of others? Do we help those in need with our wealth? This not only pertains to money and
possessions, it is also about the gifts and talents that we have that can not
only help us but others. Once again like the last few days this is about
service, it is about being humble because all that we have comes from God and
needs to be shared!
In the first reading from Jeremiah we
are reminded that one of the important values of our life is trust,
specifically trust in God. This value can help with the above challenge of
service. If we trust in God, if we make God part of our life then our riches,
our gifts, our talents, our resources are much easier to share, because we know
that God is with us.
Once again our challenge is to think
outside the box. Conventional wise says store up treasures for ourselves, make
sure our life is comfortable, eat, drink, rest, be merry. But as people of
faith God demands our lives. We are to be disciples, we are to be servants, we
are to make what we have work for the good of others. We are to be people whose
trust and hope is in God. We are to be rich in what matters to God. Remember
"the Lord, alone probes the mind and tests the heart, and rewards everyone
according to her or his ways, according to the merits of her or his
deeds." Let us be people who trust and hope in God. Let us be people rich
in the presence of God!
Have a blessed Thursday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Loving God,
direct our hearts this day to be your servants in all we do. Enliven us with
the fire of your Spirit of Love. Grace us with a steadfast faith, a spirited
hope so that all we do will be effective in helping ourselves and others
experience your loving presence. You are the Heart of Love and we want to place
all our trust in you. We know that we are not perfect, we struggle with our
weaknesses but we place our hope in you to bring about the richness of life
this day from your goodness. Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: Run without fear
today, breathe, run and permit the spirit of God's loving presence to be in
each stride you take!
Daily Blessing: Thursday
greetings and blessings to all! I drove home in the pouring rain last night
only to wake up this morning to another snow storm. I am really getting tired
of cleaning off my car and today I will probably have to chip away ice! Spring!
Where is Spring? Warmth! Where is Warmth? – Sorry just had to vent a little!
The mission at St. John the Evangelist
Parish in Mahopac, NY ended nicely last night. It was a wonderful three days
and evenings even with the snow, ice and rain and I think many good things
happen. I thank you for all your prayers this week. I have a little break now
before I head to St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Long Beach, NY on Saturday to
begin a mission there.
I would also like to send a shout out to my nephew, Paul, who celebrates his birthday today - Happy Birthday, Paul! Hopefully you will get a nice present from your Dayton Flyers who seem to be playing so well. Once again, Happy Birthday and many blessings today and always! Have a great day. Go Flyers! (I really didn't say that). And blessings great sensei!
I pray for God’s blessings on everyone
today that we will have a peaceful Thursday without too many struggles or
problems. That today will be rich in presence of God especially in the people we
encounter through this day. Blessings upon everyone today, have a great day and
enjoy the day wherever you are and in whatever you are doing! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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