Daily Thoughts: Living with a
generous and willing heart is not always easy and sometimes is downright
frustrating. At least it always has been
for me. I truly want to follow the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:
38-42), “Give to the one who asks of you and do not turn your back on the one
who wants to borrow.” Yet, time and time again I struggle with the Gospel way
that Jesus outlines today.
At times I want justice or maybe more so
revenge, yes I want an eye for an eye. I don’t like to get hit at all and I
certainly don’t want to turn the other cheek. I am happy at times to go the
extra mile but not always. You can have my jacket or coat as long as it is an
old one and I have another. And it seems at times there are people on every
street corner and subway stop if I give to everyone I will be broke within a
day!
Yes, often I fail when it comes to
Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel and that bothers me! How can I be a person of
faith, how can I be a Christian, a Catholic and fall so short? Jesus’ words are
haunting words today and I have no answer. Sure I have often rationalized – I
can’t give to everyone; the money will surely be used for drugs or drink; they
got what they deserved; somebody has to teach them a lesson; it’s too cold; I
don’t have time; somebody else will help them; and on and on!
But Jesus doesn’t give conditions or
excuses he just says offer no resistance, turn the other cheek, give your coat,
go the extra mile and don’t turn your back! So I am still faced with my
imperfection, I am still face with how to act and live. I have no intelligent
answer, no sage wisdom of many years. All I can say is that it is perhaps good
to pause and listen to or read Jesus’ words in Matthew’s Gospel today knowing
that we are not perfect but also reminding ourselves that there is still much
to learn, much to do. Perhaps, Jesus’ words make sure that we see the world
around us and that we don’t close our eyes to it!
Have a great Monday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Loving God, we
thank you for wanting to enter our lives. Help us to let go of the things we
think are so important yet they always seem to stand in the way of your
presence in our lives. Grace us with the strength to open the door of our
hearts today, so that as we ask you to come in nothing will stand in the way of
our love for you. We want you to make our hearts your home, today and always.
Amen!
A Runner’s Thoughts: As you run
today try to make you run a God-centered run. In other words make your run a
run in which you honor God through the voices of nature. Let yourself
experience all the sounds of nature around you as you run; the wind, the trees,
the leaves. Listen to the sounds of water if you run near a creek, river or the
ocean. Smell the scents of nature around
you. Remember in the Psalms, the rivers clapped and the ocean roar in praise of
God, so join in the chorus with your run. Look, purposefully, for signs of
God’s creation, offering praise. Become one among the many voices of creation
to give praise as you run today! (Adapted
from Roger Joslin)
Daily Blessing: Monday greetings
and blessings to all! I hope you had a great weekend and that your new work
week has started off well. I will be leaving Indianapolis in a couple of hours
and continuing my journey to St. Louis where I will begin a retreat for priests
this evening. I would ask your prayers for the priests of the Jefferson City
Diocese who will be on retreat this week and also for their preacher!
I pray this will be a good day and week
for you wherever you are and whatever you are and will be doing. May you find
some time to enjoy the gift of God’s creation and may whatever challenges you
face be solved quickly and in a positive way. Enjoy your day and blessings to
all! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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