Daily
Thoughts:
I have always had a special affection for our feast today, the Feast of the
Holy Guardian Angels. Perhaps it goes back to my childhood, when in the first
and second grade we always had to save room at our desk for our guardian angel.
It was one way that the good Felician Sisters taught us about the spiritual
life but it also helped them keep order in classroom, for you see if we kept a
space on our seats for our guardian angel then the theory was we would not
bother the person sitting next to us. I have to say, sometimes it worked but
most of the time it didn't!
The other
day another childhood memory came to mind. One of my favorite movies as a kid
was Angels in the Outfield, (the original 1951 version with Paul Douglas, Janet
Leigh, Keenan Wynn, the voice of James Whitmore and cameo appearances by Ty
Cobb, Joe DiMaggio and Bing Crosby, just to name a few). I loved the movie
because it took place in Pittsburgh and centered around the woeful Pittsburgh
Pirates and how the Pirates overcame their last place woes with the help of
Heavenly Choir Nine, a celestial team of deceased ballplayers, who began
bestowing "miracles" upon the Pirates—but only on the condition that
their loud mouth manager Guffy McGovern put a moratorium on swearing and fighting.
It is a wonderful and funny story. Perhaps it came to mind last night as wonder
how far my Pirates might go this year. I think they are going to need a little
angelic help.
The
point of my walk down memory lane is that the spirits of God's presence which
we honor and celebrate today, Guardian Angels, play an important role in our
life. Whether we acknowledge them by saving them a seat at our desk as a kid,
or laugh and cry with them as Hollywood brings them to life in movies like
Angels in the Outfield or It's a Wonderful Life, we all have had moments and
experiences in life when we sense that God has sent someone to help us.
It
might be a special person from our past, whose lost we have grieved but who
seems to continue to walk with us helping us overcome a struggle, an obstacle,
or a difficult moment. Someone whose spirit whispers in our ear a good word
that sends us on our way in the right direction. A loving spirit who lets us
know that we are not alone, we are loved, we are important, we are special and
that makes all the difference at that moment in our life.
Throughout
the scriptures God sends his spirits, his messengers, to help people on their
journey of faith. Why should this moment in time be any different? Why
shouldn’t we believe that God sends his spirits, his messengers into our lives
from time to time to help us on our journey?
A
number of years ago I was running the Boston Marathon. It was my second time
running that marathon. I was at mile 25 and out of gas. I could barely walk. I
was just trying to find any strength so that I could keep moving forward. A
young woman stepped off the sidewalk and began to walk alongside me. I didn’t
know her. She asked me my name and then put her hand on my shoulder and said,
“You can do this! Let’s run!” She began to run and so I began to run. She asked
me if this was my first marathon and I said “no.” She said, “Then you know that
you can do this so let’s run!” And we began to run faster. In the next moment
as I seemed to get new energy I looked to my side and she was gone. I never got
a chance to ask her name or to say thanks! I am sure it was my guardian angel
just making sure I kept going. It is something that she has done now for 61
plus years in many different ways. You might say I have gotten her, “her
wings,” many time over!
In
the Gospel today (Matthew 18: 1-5, 10) Jesus reminds us that our angels are
always looking upon the face of God. In other words, they have got a special
connection with God that someday we just might need. So as you journey through
today remember to save a little space for your guardian angel and take a moment
to thank her or him for the journey so far!
Have
a great Friday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this
day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “Looking forward to something is much more fun than
looking back at something – and much more constructive.” (Hortense Odlum) So to in the spiritual life...
Daily
Blessing:
Friday greetings and blessings to all. I hope your Friday is getting off to a
good start. It rained all of yesterday which kept me indoors most of the day
but I did manage a couple of short walks through the village and along the
water’s edge. It is cloudy this morning and there is rain in the forecast
throughout the day but no worries there still will be things to do and enjoy. I
hope your day will be a good one also.
Around
8:30 am I will be leaving Chester and heading to Halifax. The pastor here at
St. Augustine’s Fr. Craig has a meeting this morning in Halifax so I will head
into the city with him and spend the night there before flying back to New York
on Saturday. It is easier for him this way and it gives me a chance to explore
Halifax for a day.
I
will hate leaving the southern shore of Nova Scotia. It is truly a beautiful
place and my time here has been very blessed. I hope to return someday perhaps
for ministry or just to relax and enjoy it beauty!
May
love and laughter touch your day and warm your heart and bring you home to
those you love. May good and faith filled people touch your life, wherever you
go. May love and peace bless your world
with joy that long endures. May the closing of this day bring you rest and comfort
in the company of those you most love and may God bless you this day and
always!
Friends
let us keep in our prayers those who senselessly killed yesterday in Oregon and
also their families and friends who mourn their loss. Let us also pray for
those injured and for the community of Roseburg as they try to begin the
process of healing. Let us also pray for our lawmakers that someday they will
realize people are more important than money, emails, political bullying, taxes
and guns! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
