Daily
Thoughts: In
our scriptures today (Jeremiah 11: 18-20 and John 7: 40-53) we are reminded
that Jesus really never had a chance with the religious leadership of his time,
prophets, like Jeremiah, never fared well no matter where they came from but
the thought that Jesus came from Galilee sealed the deal. The religious
leadership had made their judgment and nothing was going to change it, not even
one of their own, Nicodemus calling for justice.
Jesus
throughout his ministry cautioned about making judgments. He healed, taught,
forgave, showed compassion and asked us to love even our enemies. His parables
always reflected ways to live and not to live. They always reflected a
relationship with God so that people could understand the presence of God in their
lives. He showed compassion to all and forgave sinners. All of this was too
much for the religious leadership of his time. Jesus' way did not fit into
their view of the world, their way of living in the world. They were prejudice
in the case of place, they didn't like Galilee but at other times their
prejudice took on different forms. The prejudices that we allow to make a home
in us can often be the very thoughts and actions that judge us!
Jesus and
Jeremiah became the trusting lambs led to the slaughter. They never had a
chance because their message was of God not the world. Their actions, their
teachings, their lives give us examples of how to trust and hope in God's love.
They help us to look at life through the eyes of faith not the eyes of prejudice.
As we
enter this day let us be aware of how we often judge people without listening
to their story, without knowing who they really are. Let us trust in the
presence of God that every person can bring to us. Let us be people of justice,
truth, compassion and love. Let us be open to finding God's presence, God's
goodness everywhere.
Have a
blessed Saturday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Compassionate God, make us channels of your faith, hope, love and peace. Grace
us with hearts open to your loving presence in all that we meet. Help us with
your wisdom so that we might let go of our judgments, our prejudices, and our
condemnations. May we be people with generous hearts always rich in a harvest
of compassion, mercy and love. Amen!
A
Runners' Thoughts: Remember if we have the desire to run with God, then the
specifics of the techniques used do not matter very much just keep hold of the
desire and God will be with you!
Daily
Blessing:
Saturday greetings and blessings to all. I hope your Saturday morning has
started off well. As the sun begins to rise here in Pelham it looks like it is
going to be another nice day though I do see some clouds in the sky. These mild
temperatures are a blessing. They make for easier navigation through the day. I
hope the weather by you is also energy producing today.
I will head
out later today for St. Joseph’s Parish in Garden City, New York. I will begin
my mission by preaching all the masses Saturday and Sunday and then celebrate
the mission from Monday to Wednesday. The mission service will be after the 9:00
am mass and at 7:30 pm Monday through Wednesday. Please keep the faith
community at St. Joseph’s and their preacher in your prayers this week!
My prayer
of blessing today is that God will bless us all with the energy, the spirit and
the enthusiasm to continue this journey of Lent and this journey of life. That
God will bless us with a joy for life, for other people and for ourselves. And
that whatever we do, wherever we go, whoever we meet will be touched by the joy
and mercy of God that we bring! Have a great Saturday everyone. I hope you will
get some time to rest and relax. I also hope you will be spending time with
people you love. Remember your clock get turn ahead one hour tonight before you
go to bed, it is time to spring forward and don’t forget to give God a little
time this weekend! Peace...Fr. Paul
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