Daily Thoughts: “When God is
going to do something wonderful, [God] always starts with a hardship; when God
is going to do something amazing, [God] starts with an impossibility.” (Anne
Lamott, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith)
In some ways I think both our readings
today speak to Anne Lamott’s thoughts about God. The story of Abraham told by
God to sacrifice his son Isaac, (Gen. 22: 1b-19) has always been an intriguing
one. I was thinking this morning of all the parents I have encountered in my
life and I would have to stay 99% of them would have found God’s request
troubling if not impossible. But as Lamott says, if God is going to do
something amazing and or wonderful God starts with hardship and the impossible.
It was certainly a hardship for Abraham and maybe if you think about it from a
parent’s perspective it was an impossibility. Yet, that is where God started
and from Abraham’s faithfulness and trust something wonderful and amazing
unfolded.
We might look at the Gospel (Matt.
9:1-8) in the same way. Jesus seemly, at least for the scribes, starts with an
impossibility, forgiving sins which lead to another impossibility the healing
of a paralytic. Yet from these two seemly impossible actions the hardship of
sinfulness and a physical disability are taken away, in other words something
amazing and wonderful takes place.
The key to both of our stories is faith
and faithfulness, Abraham’s faith, the paralytic and his friends’ faith and
God’s faithfulness. Perhaps was we journey through this day all parents should
give pause to look at their children and realize by having them God has tested
your faithfulness, may the hardships and the impossibilities of watching them
grow be the very faith and hopefulness of amazement and wonder.
Have a great Thursday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Search us
today, O God, and know our hearts; test us and know our thoughts and action.
See if there are any wicked ways in us. If there are forgive us. If there are
heal us. May we always be truly faithful so that you can lead us down the path
of wonder and amazement. Amen!
A Runner’s Thoughts: Let’s make our
run today be footprints around God’s world!
Daily Blessing: Happy Thursday
everyone and blessing to all! It is a beautiful sunny and cool morning here in
northeastern Wisconsin. It is the kind of day that is worth getting out of bed early
for. I hope your day is starting off well and that it will be a day of positive
energy and many blessings!
May God bless you day with much grace
and may you find joy in whatever you will be doing, working, relaxing, having
fun or even traveling. I pray that God will be with you throughout this day and
bless you with the richness of his presence and love. If you will be traveling
at some point in the next few days please do so safely! Blessings today and
always and may these days of holiday be filled with family, friends and fun!
Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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