Daily
Thoughts:
“Do not be afraid.” Jesus’ words toward the end of today’s Gospel. At first
glance, this passage from Luke’s Gospel (Luke 12: 1-7) today it is a bit
confusing. Jesus first talks about who to fear. We are to fear the one who can
take eternal life from us. But then Jesus tells us not to fear because God is
with us, God cares, God has our back!
I
could not help but think about St. Paul’s words from the eighth chapter of
Roman when he says, “If God is for us who can be against us!” I have often said
we should right this down and keep it next to our bed and read it when we wake
up each morning and before we close our eyes each night. “If God is for us who
can be against us!” What a wonderful thought. Perhaps Jesus is saying the same
thing when he tells us we are worth far more than many sparrows.
God
knows us intimately, he knows every hair on our head. God has our back so even
though life presents us with many reasons to be afraid Jesus reminds us not to
be because, to paraphrase the words of Thomas Merton, God will never leave us
to face our perils and fears alone!
Have
a blessed Friday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Loving
God,
We
sometimes feel like we are crossing a barren desert but we know you will not
let us die of thirst. We sometimes wander far in safety though often we do not
know the way. We speak your words, O God, sometimes in foreign lands and we
pray people will understand. We hope to see the face of God and live.So Lord,
we will not be afraid because you always go before us, we will come and follow
you because we know you will give us rest!
Sometimes
it feels as if we are passing through raging waters in life, that we are in the
sea, but we trust you will not let us drown. We know that if we walk amidst the
burning flames of life you will not let us be harmed. And if we stand before
the power of hell and death is at our side we know that you are always with us
through it all. So Lord, we will not be afraid because you always go before us,
we will come and follow you because we know you will give us rest!
Lord,
blessed are the poor, for you told us the Kingdom will be theirs. Blessed are
all of us who weep and mourn because one day we shall laugh. And if hurtful
people insult and hate us because of you may we to be blessed. So Lord, we will
not be afraid because you always go before us, we will come and follow you
because we know you will give us rest. Amen!
(Adapted from the song “Be Not Afraid” by
Bob Dufford, S.J.)
A
Runner’s Thoughts: Remember that if during our runs we have the desire
to run and pray then our runs can transform the simplest moments into divine
encounters!
Daily
Blessing:
Happy Friday everyone! Yes, we are at the end of another work week and in a few
hours our weekend will begin. As for me it will be a busy Friday as it our
October taping day for the Sunday Mass. I will be leaving the house around 6 pm
and not returning until around 5 pm. Please keep the Sunday Mass crew in your
prayers today.
We also
continue to pray for the Synod on the family taking place in Rome and the
Passionist Synod of Provincials taking place at our Generalate in Rome. We pray
that God’s Holy Spirit of Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding will guide the
participants of these synods so that growth will take place within our Church
and within the Passionist Congregation.
In
the Gospel (Luke 12: 1-7)) today, as I said earlier, Jesus tells his disciples,
“Do not be afraid.” So as a hopefully a faithful disciple and preacher I ask
God to bless all of you with the courage and strength to not be afraid as you
go through your day and life. I ask God’s blessing on all who find themselves
sick and or struggling in some way may this blessing bring you healing and peace!
But most importantly I ask God’s blessing upon all of you that you will always
know that you are never alone that God is standing with you and will never
leave you to face your perils, to face life alone! All of you are worth much
more than many sparrows! Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend everyone!
Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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