Daily Thoughts: “Do not be
afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.” – “Whatever
you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” Perhaps these are two of the
hardest statements in the scripture to trust.
They come to us today from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 18: 9-18) and
John’s Gospel (John 16: 20-23). The first the Lord speaks to St. Paul one night
in Corinth and the other Jesus speaks to his disciples.
How often have we asked God for
something and yet it doesn’t happen, we don’t get it, we have to settle for
life as it is not as we want it to be? How often are we called to speak or we
feel compelled to speak because of our faith but the words just will not come
out because we are afraid of the consequences?
Living by faith is no easy task, it
wasn’t in Paul’s time, and it wasn’t in Jesus’ time. The world is often a cruel
place, a place where words and actions can cause us pain, sorrow and problems
even if they are true and right. The feelings and emotions of the mob are
usually what rules. The Gospel message is not for the weak or afraid because
many leave it at the church door on Sunday, if they have heard it at all.
Our faith tells us that God is with us.
That whatever we ask in Jesus’ name we will be given, then why is there so much
sickness, death, pain and sorrow in the world? Wars and violence happen every
day, 300 young women are taken from their homes. Did no one ask for the
violence to stop, for the women to be returned in Jesus’ name?
It is easy to say that we are Christian
and call ourselves Catholic but living out our faith is never easy. In some way
God is always there, God always responds to us, God always gives us what we
need, God always stands beside us when we speak the truth. However the world
always makes it hard to hear, feel, see and know God’s presence in our life.
As we live today, as we wonder through
this life trying to believe, trying to speak, trying to trust in God remember
love casts out fear. It makes us able to speak even in the most difficult times
and it makes present the most profound gifts that God gives to us!
Friday blessings to everyone!
Daily Prayer: Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my
memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all I have and call my own. You
have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with
it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace that is enough for me.
(St. Ignatius of Loyola)
A Runner’s Thoughts: As runners in
faith, if we embark on the path of praying while we run we can expect
surprises, missteps, and perhaps great leaps toward a personal relationship
with God. We might think of running as our escape from the struggles, tensions,
problems and issues of life but through prayer it can also be a moment, a time,
when God will reach out to us in unique ways!
Daily Blessing: Friday
greetings and blessings to all! The sun has risen in Pelham and it looks and
feels like it is going to be a beautiful day. I hope that is true wherever you
are too! In about eight hours the weekend will officially begin and I pray you
are looking forward to a restful and fun filled weekend.
My day of recollection yesterday went
well. I think all the women from the Altar and Rosary Society of St. Ignatius
Martyr Parish had a great day at Our Lady of Grace Spiritual Center. The
weather was certainly a plus for the day and made my job much easier.
I offer a simple prayer of blessing this
morning for all of you on this middle Friday in May. May you be found rich
today in the grace and presence of God. May your travels, your endeavors go
well and be safe. May your interactions with others be blessed with the
presence of God. May you enjoy your day and may it lead to a great weekend!
Peace in Christ’s Passion and Joy in the Risen Lord…Fr. Paul
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