Daily
Thoughts:
As I reflected on and prayed with today’s gospel I was once again inspired by
the enduring faith of Bartimaeus as he asks Jesus for mercy. Through his perseverance and faith Jesus
extended the invitation for Bartimaeus to come and present his case. What an expression of faith in Jesus from
Bartimaeus, and because of his faith he is given the opportunity to see.
Our
challenge today might well be to ask ourselves a few questions – When do we
enthusiastically and joyfully ask for Jesus’ help? How often are we blind to the graces that God
constantly offers us?
In
the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah there is a wonderful
image for our journey of faith with Jesus – “They departed in tears, but I will
console them and guide them; I will lead them to brooks of water, on a level
road, so that none shall stumble.” (Jeremiah 31: 9) God is always compassionate
and merciful. In the midst of our struggles God is always trying to refresh us
by putting us on level ground and helping us not to stumble. However as Pope
Francis tells us over and over again if we seek God’s compassion and mercy we
are then asked to bring it to all we meet. If we open ourselves to God’s
guidance we are challenged to better use our gifts in service with and for
others.
Prayer
is the place where we like Bartimaeus open ourselves to the presence of God
passing by each moment of our life. Prayer is the place that enables us to call
out to God and ask to see. Prayer is the place where we strengthen our faith
and prepare to follow Jesus. When we fail to take time each day to pray we
become blind. We stumble along in
darkness not open to the loving presence of Jesus. Why not pause for a moment
of prayer sometime today and let Jesus open your eyes to the presence of God in
your life!
Have
a blessed and joyful Sunday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Take,
Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.
(Suscipe – St. Ignatius of Loyola)
A
Runner’s Thoughts: Here are some words to ponder and perhaps even live
by from Paul Maurer’s book, The Gift – A Runner’s Story. “Running isn't a sport for pretty boys...It's
about the sweat in your hair and the blisters on your feet. It’s the frozen
spit on your chin and the nausea in your gut. It's about throbbing calves and
cramps at midnight that are strong enough to wake the dead. It's about getting
out the door and running when the rest of the world is only dreaming about
having the passion that you need to live each and every day with. It's about
being on a lonely road and running like a champion even when there's not a
single soul in sight to cheer you on. Running is all about having the desire to
train and persevere until every fiber in your legs, mind, and heart is turned
to steel. And when you've finally forged hard enough, you will have become the
best runner you can be. And that's all that you can ask for.” And this is what faith is about too!
Daily
Blessing:
Sunday greetings and blessing to all. It is a cloudy and rainy day so far here
in Pelham, perhaps the day is brighter and dryer where you are. Either way I
hope this Sunday has started off well for you and that you will remember to
give God a little of your time today!
Wherever
you are, whatever this day will bring into your life, if you will be watching your favorite team, and
perhaps later celebrating your team’s victory, or mourning and debating its
defeat or just anticipating the work week and the busyness of that lies ahead.
It you are resting and relaxing or busy about many different things, if you are
taking time to enjoy the beauty of this day or struggling through a problem, no
matter where you are or what you are doing I offer this prayer and blessing for
you...
This
is the Day that God has made let us rejoice and be glad. May there always be
work for us to do. May our pockets and
purses always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine warm on our
windowpanes. May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of
family, a loved one and a friend always be near and may God fill our hearts
with gladness and love that we in turn can share! May God’s blessing be upon us
all today and always. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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