Daily Thought: In today's Gospel Jesus speaks about the Wise
and the Foolish Person. The question is on what foundation is our faith, our
relationship with God built.
Three years ago, here in New York and along the New Jersey
coast we had a very profound example of the power of the wind and the sea.
Homes that were built near the shore took a big hit; many were ripped from
their foundations. We found out firsthand the power of nature.
Jesus uses the image of the power of nature to remind us
that there are many things in this life that can pose a threat to our faith,
our relationship with God and if we don't have it anchored well, if we have not
build our relationship with God on a strong foundation the challenges, the
struggles, the difficulties of life are going to ripe our faith from its
foundation.
As we learned from yesterday's Gospel God will take care of
us but we have got to trust and we have got to be willing to share. So today
let us not be foolish, let us be wise so that our faith does not collapse but
that it stands firm in the midst of the storms of life!
An extra thought to keep our faith rooted on rock...St. John
Chrysostom says: "Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a
foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection
against sadness."
Have a great day everyone!
Daily Prayer: O God, stir up your power and come. Help us with
your mighty strength, your mercy and your grace to stand firm amid the storms
of life. Bless us today with a strong foundation so that when the floods come,
the winds blow and the rain falls we will have shelter and strength in your
love! Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: A runner who embarks on the journey of prayer
and running can expect surprises, missteps, and perhaps great leaps toward a
relationship with God!
Daily Blessing: Thursday greetings and blessings to all! I hope
your Thursday has gotten off to a good start. In a couple of hours I will be
headed to Manhattan for the day as we tape the Christmas Season for the Sunday
Mass. We will be taping Christmas Mass, Holy Family Sunday, Epiphany Sunday and
the Baptism of the Lord. It will be a long day and hopefully a good day of
taping. I would ask that you keep all involved with the production of the
Sunday Mass in your prayers today.
Unfortunately this is becoming all too common but I bring to
prayer today all who lost their lives yesterday in San Bernardino. I pray for
those who lost their live, those who were wounded and the families of all who
now mourn. I pray that we as a nation come to our senses about guns, they and
the people who use them in such horrendous ways are destroying our nation, our
culture, our way of life. Please pray for peace today, we cannot give up hope!
Today is the feast of St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit priest
and missionary, but for me it brings to mind a very good friend, Fr. Xavier
Vitacolonna, C.P. who died a little over three years ago. Fr. Xavier's given
name was Francis, his religious name was Xavier. He was a brother, priest and
missionary. I include him in my prayers today and I pray to him as a member of
the communion of saints! Help us to bring peace Fr. Xav!
I would also ask you to remember Fr. Edward Beck, C.P. and
his family as they lost their father yesterday very suddenly. Fr. Edward is the
executive producer of the Sunday Mass and it will be a very long and difficult
day for him as we tape the Christmas Season.
My prayer of blessing today is once again a simple one drawn
from a prayer by St. Teresa of Avila – Loving God bless us today with the grace
to always allow ourselves to be guided by you and to always follow your plans
for us. May we accomplish those plans with your grace. Grant that in all things
great and small, today and every day we will do whatever you ask of us with joy
and love. Loving God bless us with the
strength and grace that your will, will be done by us, in us and through us.
Amen! Blessings to all and have a great Thursday everyone! Peace in Christ's
Passion...Fr. Paul
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