Daily Thoughts:
Some
thoughts for a Christmas Day…
“To be
grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He
has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every
moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.
Gratitude
therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly
awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful
person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is
what makes all the difference.” (Thomas
Merton)
While it
is good that we seek to know the Holy One, it is probably not so good to
presume that we ever complete the task.”
“God
loves human beings. God loves the world. Not an ideal human, but human beings
as they are; not an ideal world, but the real world. What we find repulsive in
their opposition to God, what we shrink back from with pain and hostility,
namely, real human beings, the real world, this is for God the ground of
unfathomable love.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
“Someday,
after we have mastered the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall
harness for God the energies of love. Then for the second time in the history
of the world, we will have discovered fire.” (Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ)
“Just
because something is impossible, doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.” (Dorothy Day)
“It is a
fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in
disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as
laughter and good humor.”
“For it
is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its
mighty Founder was a child Himself.” (Charles
Dickens, A Christmas Carol)
“Maybe
Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn't come from a store.” (Dr. Seuss)
“Christmas
is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the
homeless should be celebrated in every home.”
(G.K. Chesterton)
“For a
child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:5)
“We are
all meant to be mothers of God...for God is always needing to be born.”
“Every
creature is a word of God and is a book about God.”
“We are
celebrating the feast of the Eternal Birth which God the Father has borne and
never ceases to bear in all eternity…. But if it takes not place in me, what
avails it? Everything lies in this, that it should take place in me.” (Meister Eckhart)
All of
these thoughts have something to say about our celebration of Christmas.
However, I think Eckhart, the great Dominican mystic of the Middle Ages, has
his finger on the meaning of the Christmas feast we begin to celebrate today.
Yes, Christ was born in history some 2,000 plus years ago and yes Christ will
be born again at the Second Coming but what is most important for us is that
Christ is born each day within us. As Eckhart says, “Everything lies in this,
that [Christ’s birth] should take place in [us].” In other words, each day we
need to take on the responsibility of giving birth to Jesus by the living of
our lives. We should bring the presence of God to the world each day.
Over the
next day or so if we are lucky we will encounter children joyfully celebrating
the gift of Christmas in song, in story, in pageant. We will experience them as
angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph. We will watch them place the child in the
manager and proclaim “Glory of God on high and Peace on Earth to all people of
good will.” We will see the joy, the excitement, and nervousness on their
faces. And after all is said, sung and done we will for a moment sense the true
meaning of Christmas that God is with us!
My hope
is that this Christmas, as you celebrate the mystery of the Christmas
Eucharist, as you gather with family and perhaps friends, amid good food and
choice drink, as presents are frantically opened and enjoyed you will look
around at the faces of fellow parishioners, guests, friends and family and see
the wonderful gift of God’s presence.
We are
lucky people – no, we are blessed people because Emmanuel is born within us
each day all we need to do is believe!
“Let us
draw from the crib the joy and deep peace that Jesus comes to bring to the
world.” (Pope Francis)
A Blessed
and Holy Christmas to all!
Daily Prayer: Loving Jesus,
Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace, the Light of the
World, as we celebrate your birth may we begin to see the world in the light of
your gift of understanding with which you grace us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the
poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we celebrate
you in meekness of heart, wonderment of love and joyful hope. May we bring your hope and love to all we
meet today and always. Amen.
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “Run into peace.” (Meister
Eckhart) Merry Christmas all runners!
Daily Blessing: Merry Christmas
everyone! I returned a little while ago from our monastery in Jamaica Queens,
NY where I concelebrated Christmas Morning Mass with Fr. Robert, our provincial,
and the men of the community. I hope your Christmas morning has been one
blessed by the gift of love in your life. I hope in the midst of all the
celebrating, eating and laughter with family and friends you have not forgotten
to give God a little time!
In the
spirit of this day of joy, love and gathering here is my prayer of blessing for
all…
May there
be harmony in all your relationships.
May sharp words, envious thoughts, and hostile feelings be dissolved.
May you
give and receive love generously. May
this love echo in your heart like the joy of church bells on a clear December
day.
May each
person who comes into your life be greeted as another Christ. May the honor given the Babe of Bethlehem be
that which you extend to every guest who enters your presence.
May the
Hope of this sacred season settle in your soul.
May it be a foundation of courage for you when times of distress occupy
your inner land.
May the
wonder and awe that fills the eyes of children be awakened within you. May it lead you to renewed awareness and
appreciation of whatever you too easily take for granted.
May the
bonds of love for one another be strengthened as you gather with family,
community and friends around the table of festivity and nourishment.
May you
daily open the gift of your life and be grateful for the hidden treasures it
contains.
May the
coming year be one of good health for you and those you love. May you have energy and vitality. May you care well for your body, mind and
spirit.
May you
keep your eye on the Star within you and trust this Luminescent Presence to
guide and direct you each day.
May you
go often to the Bethlehem of your heart and visit the One who offers you peace.
And may you bring this peace into the world… (From Out of the Ordinary – “a Christmas Blessing” by Joyce Rupp)
I will
remember all of you as I celebrate the Eucharist during this Christmas Season –
Christmas blessings to all. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
PS I also
remember my father in a special way today as it was 33 years ago this day that
he was born to eternal life. Dad continue to watch over us and may you and Mom
bless us with your spirits of love this day and always!
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