Daily Thoughts: The story of
the Forgiving Father is what we are asked to reflect on today. I have used this
parable many times, often when I am preparing young people for the Sacrament of
Reconciliation. For me the first half of the story about the younger son and
his return home is a great image for the sacrament. All the elements of the
sacrament are there, recognition of sinfulness, the journey to the sacrament,
saying we are sorry and forgiveness.
The second half of the story about the
older brother reflects another side of sinfulness. We often only think of
sinfulness as bad things that we do. We think of the Ten Commandments. However,
sin can be what we don't do. Sin can be standing in judgment, self-righteousness,
pride, envy, jealousy and anger especially when we think we are right. Sin can
be refusing to be part of the family, part of the faith community. Sin can be
thinking only of ourselves and playing the victim card.
I have always felt this story presented
the two sides of sin and often for many of us the older brother is where we
usually find ourselves. The hopeful sign in the story is that the father is in
the whole story. He is wherever we are. Always willing to forgive, always
willing to welcome us home, always willing to come out and welcome us into the
family, into the celebration. All we have to do is let go of what we have done
or failed to do and accept his forgiveness, his love!
Have a blessed Saturday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Compassionate
God; grace us with the strength to make the journey home to you. Give us the
wisdom to see our faults, our failings, our struggles and to accept your
forgiveness. Fill us with a hope that helps us to see past our disappointments,
that helps us to let go of our pride, our envy, our jealousy, our resentment,
our anger so that we may always be a part of the family, a part of the
celebration. Embrace us with your presence so that we may always believe that
you are our kind, merciful and loving God. Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: As you run look
for good in the world that you pass by, look for good in the people you
encounter, sense the good in you and know you do not run alone, God runs with
you!
Daily Blessing: Saturday
greetings and blessings to all! I hope you had a restful night, one that has
allowed you to rise refreshed and ready to begin a new day.
This afternoon I begin a new mission at St.
Ignatius Martyr Parish in Long Beach, NY. For all of you in the Long Beach area
the mission will be Monday thru Wednesday at 9:00 am and 7:30 pm. The morning
mission talk will take place after the 9:00 am mass and the evening talk will
be a prayer service except for Wednesday which will be mass at 7:30 pm. If you
are in the area come and join us! As always I ask your prayers this coming week
for the faith community at St. Ignatius Martyr and for their preacher!
My prayer of blessing on this Saturday
is that your love may more and more abound both in understanding and wealth of
experience and that through the blessings of God love you will always value the
things that really matter. May God blessing us all with the joy of the Gospel
this day and always! Remember to make a joyful noise with your life today.
Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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