Daily
Thoughts:
Within our scriptures today there is the thread of intimacy and relationship
running through them. In the first reading from Isaiah (Isaiah 49:8-15) we hear
Advent like images of how God enters our life and helps us to make the journey
home. We hear how much God desires a relationship with us and how far God is
willing to go for that relationship. There is the famous image in the reading
about the child in the mother’s womb and even if that mother were to forget
about the child God will not forget about the child and us.
In the
Gospel (John 5:17-30) it is John’s image of the relationship between the Father
and the Son. Throughout John’s entire Gospel we constantly hear about the
intimate relationship that Jesus has with the Father. If you see Jesus, you are
looking at the Father. The two are inseparable, they work together. They know
each other’s thoughts, words and actions. We are invited to have this same kind
of relationship with Jesus and the Father.
Intimacy
is something we all want, something we all need but it is something many of us
find difficult because of what it demands of us. It demands commitment, time,
energy and a willingness to be truthful and honest. It demands a willingness to
see the good in others and to understand their struggles, their faults and
failings. Intimacy means we are willing to stand by the other even when it is
not easy, even when it is not popular.
Much talk
time and print space has been given to celibacy and chastity in recent years,
some of it positive and much of it negative. Being one who has tried to live
this vow I know that the most difficult part is intimacy and I am not just
talking about physical intimacy. I think we all have a great need, desire,
longing for and deep connection with another, a person to share our joys,
fears, sadness, struggles, triumphs, feelings and love. We want that soul
friend who knows us, understands us, values us, forgives us and loves us no
matter what and yet whether celibate or not this friend is hard to find.
Many of
the great saints talk about finding this relationship after a long struggle
with God. I am not a great saint so my struggle for intimacy goes on. It is a
great need in everyone’s life and sometimes it is a life-long search. For me
there is always sadness when I see this intimacy devalued or absent. When I see
a mother or a father forget their child, either through abuse, neglect or when
their life become so self-centered they don’t make the connection. I am also
encouraged and hopeful when I see the wonderful gift of intimacy at work in the
lives of people, when they don’t forget!
Throughout
Lent we have been reminded that living a life of faith demands looking beyond
ourselves, it demands being other oriented. Relationships and intimacy are the
way we can keep ourselves focus on others, focused on God. Let us live the
journey of life today open to the gifts that others can bring to our lives!
Have a great
Wednesday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
O God, you call us to be in love with you just as you are in love with us. Give
us the grace to not be afraid of your gifts of love and mercy in our lives.
Help us not to fear your invitation to intimacy and may we never hesitate to
share your love with another. Grant us the strength to never forget the
tenderness of your joyful loving presence and to trust that you will bring us
home. Amen!
A
Runner’s Thoughts: The next time you run, finish your run with a burst of
speed no matter how far you have run. As you run all out those last few steps
imagine receiving a greeting from God. God embraces you and holds you as you
catch your breath. God offers a few good words to welcomes you home.
Daily
Blessing:
Wednesday greetings and blessings to all. I hope this week has been good to you
so far, if not there are still three plus days left for things to get better.
It looks to be a sunny and warmer day here in Lindenhurst. I hope the weather
by you is energizing and life giving today too.
I would
like to send a shout out to Fr. Paul Ruttle, C.P. on this his birthday – Happy
Birthday Paul! – Fr. Paul and I share the same age though for a few months now
he will be older! I am hoping his day will be a blessed one and that he will at
least celebrate a little!
We had
two very good mission sessions yesterday and today is the closing. I will be
heading home tonight as I have two busy days before heading out Saturday
morning for my next mission in Garden City, New York. Please keep the faith
community here at Our Lady of Perpetual Help ace in your prayers today and if
you could add an extra prayer for their preacher it would be greatly
appreciated!
My prayer
of blessing today goes out to everyone that you may encounter the love of God
in some special way today; through the gesture of another person, through an
experience of life, through an encounter with God within yourself. May God’s
love enliven a well-spring of joy within you that you can share with all you
meet today. And may you find the joy and mercy of God within you and share it
with the world! May today be a day of many blessings and a day without too much
stress! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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