Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Daily Thoughts - 04/15/2015



Daily Thoughts: In the readings today we find the simple message - God saves us!  However it is only those who believe will be saved.  Perhaps more importantly if we want to be saved we need to acknowledge the need for God’s presence in our life in order to gain the gift of deliverance. 

In the first reading from Acts, the Apostles are imprisoned, and the angel of God comes and releases them and sends them to the temple area to continue preaching. They are released from their imprisonment because God is with them.

In the Responsorial Psalm we hear the echoes of God’s response to those in need - Lord hears the cry of the poor.  All who believe in God and call out to God will be aided in their time of struggle.  God does not abandon his people.  But there needs to be a request – God needs to hear the cry of the poor.  God’s responds may not always comes as quickly or as directly as it did for the Apostles in jail but down through our faith story God has always responded to the cry of those in need.

In the Gospel we encounter Jesus as the ultimate delivery of God’s response to those in need.  God so loved us that he gave us his only begotten son. Out of this profound love God made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.  Only through Jesus can we truly understand God’s love and be welcomed into the Kingdom.  Whether God instantly saves us, as he did the apostles from the prison, or whether it is through the Cross of Christ, God love for us ultimately will save us.  It is through belief in Jesus that we have salvation but we must be open to God’s love and not be afraid to ask for God’s help!

Have a blessed Hump Day everyone!

Daily Prayer: Loving God, be with us today and give us strength because often we are weak. You are our life and without you we are without passion. You are our light and without you we cannot see what is before us. Be with us this day, Loving God, for we desire your love and always want to be in your company. Stand by us, Lord Jesus, so that as we face the dangers and struggles of this day we will not be alone because we know that you are always with us and will never leave us to face the struggles of life alone! Amen!

A Runner’s Thoughts: “To go the distance and keep going after that, the only sustainable place to start is from a place of gratitude and love.” (Kristin Armstrong)

Daily Blessing: Wednesday greetings and blessing to all! Also Happy Hump Day and Tax Day! (If Tax Day can be happy!) I hope your day has started off well and that you are not overwhelmed by trying to finish your taxes by midnight tonight!

We had another great day and evening of mission yesterday here at St. Anthony’s Parish in Oceanside, New York. I am looking forward to our closing sessions this afternoon and evening. Please keep the faith community here at St. Anthony’s in your prayers and if you get a chance to say an extra prayer for their preacher it will be greatly appreciated!

My prayer of blessing today is that God’s blessings will be upon you today were ever you are, upon whatever you are doing and upon whomever you meet. May all of you be gifted with a blessed, holy and faith filled day rich in the presence and grace of God! If you haven’t finished your taxes yet may you speedily move through them today and feel the relief at the end of the day of being finished. May you also enjoy the sun and warmth of a beautiful spring day! Peace in Christ’s Passion and Hope in the Risen Christ…Fr. Paul


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