Daily Thoughts: “You do not
need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going.
What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the
present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.” (Thomas Merton) I thought of these words
by Merton today as I reflected on the readings for the Feast of St. Martha. I
think Martha fits these words well.
In the Gospel reading (John 11:19-27) we see a different side
of Martha than the one in Luke (10:38-42).
It is as if Martha has grown in her faith, her relationship with God and in her
understanding of her friendship with Christ. In John, Martha is a faith filled
woman, who does not fully understand but recognizes the possibilities and
challenges and embraces them with courage, faith and hope. She seeks God in the
present moment and in the end is greatly blessed.
We all need to pause and allow the gift
of St. Martha’s spirit to enliven our own spirits today. May the spirit of St.
Martha gift us with the courage, faith and hope to live this day ready to
recognize the possibilities and challenges and embrace them with the grace of
God’s love.
Have a great Wednesday and many blessings
to all on this Feast of St. Martha!
Daily Prayer: Loving God, you
have promised to remain forever with those who do what is just and right. Help us to live in your presence this day and
always. Help us to live Jesus’ commandment of love and bring your peace and joy
to others. Keep us ever mindful of the
wisdom and love you have made known in Christ. Grace us with the courage, faith
and hope to make your presence known though our words and actions. Amen!
A Runner’s Thoughts: “...there was some
kind of connection between the capacity to love and the capacity to love
*running*. The engineering was certainly the same: both depended on loosening
your grip on your own desires, putting aside what you wanted and appreciating
what you've got, being patient and forgiving and... undemanding...maybe we
shouldn't be surprised that getting better at one could make you better at the
other.” (Christopher McDougall, Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and
the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen)
Daily Blessing: Wednesday greetings
and blessings to everyone! I hope everyone’s week is going well and that you
are dealing with this July heat.
My Tuesday was a rather busy one as I spent
the day in search of a car. I found one but the buying process is not easy when
you belong to a religious community but hopefully sometime late today I will be
getting rid of my rental car and driving my new one hope. So I guess I can say
that my Wednesday will be a busy day too.
I hope your day has started well and
will become even better as you journey through it. If not hang in there because
there is always tomorrow and the chance for a better day!
Enjoy your “Hump Day” everyone and may
God bless your day with many good experiences and people! I hope all of you
will have a great Wednesday no matter where you are or what today will bring! I
pray for God’s blessings upon all of you as you go through your day. May God
bless all your endeavors, may God be with you in all of your challenges and in
all of your struggles. Please trust in the presence of God that you carry
within you and don’t be afraid to share your gift. Peace in Christ’s
Passion…Fr. Paul
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