Daily
Thoughts:
The story of the Forgiving Father is what we are asked to reflect on today. I
have used this parable many times, often when I am preparing young people for
the Sacrament of Reconciliation. For me the first half of the story about the
younger son and his return home is a great image for the sacrament. All the
elements of the sacrament are there, recognition of sinfulness, the journey to
the sacrament, saying we are sorry and forgiveness.
The
second half of the story about the older brother reflects another side of
sinfulness. We often only think of sinfulness as bad things that we do. We
think of the Ten Commandments. However, sin can be what we don't do. Sin can be
standing in judgment, self-righteousness, pride, envy, jealousy and anger especially
when we think we are right. Sin can be refusing to be part of the family, part
of the faith community. Sin can be thinking only of ourselves and playing the
victim card.
I have
always felt this story presented the two sides of sin and often for many of us
the older brother is where we usually find ourselves. The hopeful sign in the
story is that the father is in the whole story. He is wherever we are. Always
willing to forgive, always willing to welcome us home, always willing to come
out and welcome us into the family, into the celebration. All we have to do is
let go of what we have done or failed to do and accept his forgiveness, his
love!
Have a
great Saturday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Compassionate God; grace us with the strength to make the journey home to you.
Give us the wisdom to see our faults, our failings, our struggles and to accept
your mercy and forgiveness. Fill us with a hope that helps us to see past our
disappointments, that helps us to let go of our pride, our envy, our jealousy,
our resentment, our anger so that we may always be a part of the family, a part
of the celebration. Embrace us with your presence so that we may always believe
that you are our kind, merciful and loving God. Amen!
A
Runner's Thoughts: As you run look for good in the world that you pass by,
look for good in the people you encounter, sense the good in you and know you
do not run alone, God runs with you!
Daily
Blessing:
Saturday greetings and blessings to all! For Passionists everywhere today is
the Feast of Saint Gabriel Possenti, C.P. also known as St. Gabriel of Our Lady
of Sorrows so I send a shout out to all Passionists and everyone who is part of
the Passionist family to say happy feast day!
I would
also like to send a shout out to a good friend Peggy Walsh-Kinamore on her
birthday. Happy Birthday Peggy! Many blessings today and always. Have a great
day and I hope you will get to celebrate at least a little!
I hope everyone
had a restful night, one that has allowed you to rise refreshed and ready to
begin a new day. It looks to be a sunny day here in Pelham and I am hoping it
will be a little warmer than yesterday. I hope the weather is nice by you today
too!
This
afternoon I begin a new mission at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Pelham Manor,
NY. The parish is only about a mile from home so I am not traveling this week.
It will be a nice little respite as I get to sleep in my own bed during this
mission week. For all of you in the Pelham area the mission will be Monday thru
Wednesday at 9:00 am and 7:00 pm. The morning mission talk will take place
after the 9:00 am mass and the evening talk will be a prayer service at 7:00
pm. If you are in the area come and join us! As always I ask your prayers this
coming week for the faith community at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and for their
preacher!
My prayer
of blessing on this Saturday is that your love may more and more abound both in
understanding and wealth of experience and that through the blessings of God
love you will always value the things that really matter. May God blessing us
all with the mercy of the God this day and always! Remember to give God a
little time this weekend. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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