Monday, July 20, 2015

Daily Thoughts - 07/20/2015



Daily Thoughts: “There is something greater than [Jonah and] Solomon here.” Today in the Gospel we once again find the scribes and Pharisees seek more from Jesus. They want a sign. We can hear the frustration in Jesus’ words as he tells them that the only sign they will get is the sign of Jonah.

If I had been in Jesus’ shoes I might not have been so patient. I might have said, “Come on guys there are signs all around you. Every day I am preaching healing, forgiving, raising people from the dead, turning water into wine what more do you want! If you don’t realize who I am and what I am about by now I don’t know what else I can do.”

Our Gospel while address to the scribes and Pharisees many years ago is also addressed to us. On any given day we are just like them asking God for a sign. We want God to assure us that he is with us and that we are on the right path. We want to see, hear, taste, smell and touch God because if we don’t then it seems impossible to believe. Yet, like the scribes and Pharisees we miss the point the signs of God are all around us. We are reminded time and time again of God’s love for us in creation, in caring family and friends that are a part of lives, in the gift of the Eucharist, the acts of kindness, care and concern that touch our lives each day and the crucifix on the wall which reminds us of God’s greatest act of love. Yes, there is something greater than Jonah and Solomon in our life every day.

Each morning that we arise and look in the mirror we are reminded that there is something greater in our life – it is the continuing presence of God. We just have to stop, listen, look around and be attentive to life and we will see, taste, smell, hear and touch God.

Perhaps as we journey through this day our prayer might be – “Lord, I believe help my unbelief.”  Have a great Monday everyone!

Daily Prayer: Loving God, strengthen us with the grace of your Holy Spirit and give your peace to our souls that we may be free from all needless anxiety, apprehension, and worry. Help us to desire always that which is pleasing and acceptable to you, so that your will may be our will. Amen.

A Runner’s Thoughts: “If you need help getting motivated, turn to fellow runners. Often, they have been there, done that and can help you move along.” (Hal Higdon) So to in the spiritual life…If you need help or motivation in prayer turn to a fellow traveler in faith because often they have been there and done that and are more than willing to help you on your journey of faith. We are all in this together whether we are running and believing.

Daily Blessing: Monday blessings and greetings to everyone! I hope your Monday has started off well. We are into day four of our novena here at St. Ann’s in Scranton. Today began with clouds in the sky with warm humid temperatures, as people say here, “Typical novena weather.” I hope you are navigating through the beginning of your Monday regardless of the weather.

I continue to receive request for prayers and if I haven’t gotten back to you yet please know I have received your prayer requests and they are part of my daily novena prayers. If you have any prayer requests today please send them along to me through Facebook, Twitter or my web site www.preacherman.org.

my prayer of blessing today is that this will be a good day and the beginning of a 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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