Friday, January 29, 2016

Daily Thoughts - 01/29/2016



Daily Thoughts: I often look back over my life and am struck with the thought, “my how things have changed!” Jesus talks about farming during his time in the Gospel today. The farmer goes out and plants the seed but then waits to see what happens. The farmer doesn't know why or how it happens there is a profound trust in God and hope that the seeds planted will produce a wonderful harvest.

Today we know, for the most part, the why and how of farming. There is a lot more science and technology that goes into farming these days yet I cannot help but think there still needs to be trust in God.

The mustard seed is a wonderful image of God's Kingdom. Just think of the creation of a person, the tiny sperm and egg come together and begin to grow as one. This conception of the sperm and egg, this coming together, becomes a person growing each day within the womb. Then in nine or so months this person arrives and begins the journey of life outside the womb. God's Kingdom is made up of millions upon millions of people and trillions upon trillions of harvests. We sleep, we wake, and we wait. Day in and day out we see the many gifts of God's Kingdom, it is a wonderful harvest and yet like the farmers of Jesus' time we still don't know how or why it happens.

We don't know everything and the more we accept this fact the more we will encounter God's Kingdom each and every day we live. So like it says in says in the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 10:39), “We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.” God’s Kingdom of mercy is now. It is all around us. We don’t know how or why, we just need a profound trust in God’s merciful love and we will have life eternal.

Have a great Friday everyone.

Daily Prayer: O God, whose wisdom never fails, protect us from all harm this day and help us to work for all that is good. Bless us with the gift of wonder and awe that we might never forget your wondrous mercy and love as we encounter it in ourselves and others. Amen!

A Runner's Thoughts: “When people ask me why I run, I tell them, there’s not really a reason, it’s just the adrenaline when you start, and the feeling when you cross that finish line.” (Courtney Parsons) So transform an ordinary run into a sacred run by bringing to the run a sense of God presence in you!

Daily Blessing: Friday greetings and blessings to all. I hope your Friday has gotten off to a good start and that your day will go smoothly. It looks to be a nice day here in Pelham today, however I will only be here another few hours and then I will head west to Ohio. I am hoping the weather will be reasonable across Pennsylvania for my trip.

I begin a mission in Granville, Ohio tomorrow at St. Edward the Confessor Parish. I am looking forward to getting back on the road and beginning a long stretch of preaching ministry. I will be busy preaching until the end of June with just a couple of breaks in between. I would ask that you keep me, my ministry and my travels in your prayers during this time. I would also ask you to pray for the faith communities that I will be visiting.

I offer a simple prayer of blessing today that all of us will be blessed with the grace of God’s presence in our journey through this day. May all we do be touched by God’s Spirit. May all whom we meet be touched by God’s love and at the end of the day may we all find ourselves at home with the people we most love. Blessings to all on a well-deserved Friday and may your day be productive and full of energy. May your day move swiftly and may it come to a relaxing and restful end. May you have a day rich in God’s grace and a peaceful and restful night so that you will rise refreshed to meet a new day! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul

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