Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Daily Thoughts - 07/21/2015



Daily Thoughts: At first hearing we might be taken aback by today’s Gospel (Matt.12:46-50), how could Jesus be so rude to his family? Why would he not go out and at least speak to Mary?  It seems disrespectful. It seems to go against everything Jesus teaches. What about the commandment, “Honor your father and mother?”

We can look at this Gospel story through these questions or we can see it another way. Perhaps Jesus was not being rude or disrespectful; perhaps he was just taking the opportunity to expand our understanding of family. Perhaps he was taking the opportunity to help us understand better what it means to be community, to be church, to be family, to be the Body of Christ!

As people who believe we are not in this journey alone, we traveling as community, as church, as family, as the Body of Christ. Jesus is just reminding us that we are connected and we can draw upon the strength of the many to help us in those moments of doubt, struggle and challenge. Believing in, valuing and living out our relationship with God makes us part of a great family of believers and in our first reading (Exodus 14:21-15:1) we see how well God takes care of his family.

The Exodus story is a violent one, perhaps a violence that we would prefer not to see God within but it is also a story of love. God’s love for his people and this love is a ferocious love. We don’t often think of God loving with such great intensity. It is a great comfort and privilege to know that God love us in such a way.

As we journey through this day let us trust in the presence of a family of faith that means we are never alone, that we are always loved by God.

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Daily Prayer: Loving God we have often abandoned you but you never abandon us. Your loving hands are always outstretched toward us, even when we stubbornly look the other way and your gentle voice constantly calls us, even when we persistently fuse to listen. Touch us today, call us today, bless us today and be with us today so that we may know that we are never alone, that you are always with us and you will never leave us. Help us to walk by faith and proclaim it by the life we live. Amen!

A Runner’s Thoughts: As we let us imagine that God is at our side, running along with us. Imagine how God might look with kindness into the faces of all whom the two of us might meet as we run. Imagine how God would find good in everyone we encountered. Let’s us look for good in everyone we meet today. Let us look for good in ourselves today. Have a great run!

Daily Blessing: Tuesday blessings and greetings from Scranton everyone! I hope your day has started off well. We have clouds this morning and there is a chance of showers and perhaps even storms throughout the day. It will be hot and humid. I hope things are a little better where you are. If not I hope you have found a cool place to take refuse in from time to time.

We enter day five of our novena today. There have been good crowds, the preachers are giving much food for thought and the faith of the people is strong. As always each day I take your prayers, petitions and intentions to my time of novena prayer. It is never too late to send a long an intention, petition or request for prayers.

Wherever you are I hope your day goes well. May this Tuesday be one of many graces and blessings for you and those you love. May God bless you today with many wonderful surprises so that you will know you are loved and that you always make the world a better place by the gift of your presence. May you be blessed with the grace of God’s love and may you share it with everyone you meet. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul

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