Daily Thoughts: Pope Francis has
asked us to bring the joy of the Gospel to whomever we meet. We are to look
around and see the people like the man in the Gospel today who can’t get to the
living water of healing and we are to bring that living water to them. We are
not to be people who see themselves alone with Jesus; we are to be people of a
community of faith who bring the living waters of Jesus to the world.
As I looked over the scriptures this
morning a couple of thoughts came to mind. First there is a one striking thing about
today's Gospel (5:1-16) for me; it is the fact that the man whom Jesus
approaches is alone. He says he has no one to help him. No one to get him to
the water, he finds himself alone unable to get to the waters of life. How
often do we feel alone in life? We have that feeling that we are out there on a
limb by ourselves. There is no one to help, no one to lean on, and no one to
help us get to where we want to go. Like the man in the gospel today we can be
surrounded by a world of people and yet still feel alone.
In those moments perhaps it is only God
who makes the difference. We perhaps are not dramatically healed as the man in
the story but when we let God enter our life, life does become better. We
encounter the gifts of life; we get places that seemed impossible to get to
before. With God in our life being part of the world, be a part of the
community is not only possible it happens.
Another aspect of our readings today is
the element of water. Ezekiel (Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12) and the man in the Gospel
encounter the healing power of water. They are each aware of its importance in
for life. They each become aware of the presence of God in life that water
represents.
Our readings today remind us of the
value of God's presence in our lives. God's presence never leaves us to face
life alone. God's presence is life giving, refreshing and life sustaining. As
the verse for the responsorial psalm says, God is with us and God is our
stronghold our support.
As we live this day let us be aware of
the many ways that God enters our life. Let us be aware of the many ways in
which God does not leave us alone and the many ways God sustains and refreshes
our life. Let us be thankful and not fearful because God is ever with us and
will never leave us to face life alone!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!
Daily Prayer: As I arise
today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom
of God guide me. May the eye of God look
before me, the ear of God hear me, the word of God speak for me. May the hand
of God protect me, the way of God lie before me, the shield of God defend me,
the host of God save me. May Christ shield me today. Christ with me, Christ
before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I
sit, Christ when I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees
me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: Perhaps as we
run today we too should choose the road less traveled: the road of awareness as
we run, the road of revelation as we run, the road of intention as we run, the
road of mindfulness as we run, the road of imagination as we run, the road of
joy as we run, the road of prayer as we run. Today let's pick a road we have not
traveled lately and let it make a difference in our life today!
Daily Blessing: Happy St.
Patrick’s Day everyone! I hope you are celebrating at least a little because
you know there is a little Irish in everyone even if it is just your smile, so
celebrate a little.
I hope your Tuesday is starting out ok.
We had a nice first day of mission here at Our Lady Queen of Peace yesterday. I
am looking forward to our second day of mission. There is a wonderful spirit
here and we are truly walking by faith these days! As always please keep the
faith community of Our Lady Queen of Peace in your prayers and if you have time
for an extra one could it be for their preacher!
My prayer of blessing today is that you
will have a great day, with many blessings. May the road rise up to meet you, may
the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, and the
rain fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in
the palm of His hand.
If you are celebrating today may you be
blessed in doing so safely and joyfully. May we all be blessed with the strength
of God to guide us, the power of God to uphold us, and the wisdom of God to
enlighten me. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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