Daily
Thoughts:
Easter Sunday is the highpoint of the liturgical calendar, the key to the
season of Lent. The resurrection of Jesus is what centers our faith, the mighty
deed done by God in relation to us and our need for salvation.
That’s
all the facts of the matter; but what really matters is how each one of us
lives into the mystery of the resurrection of Jesus. This season of the
resurrection beginning today, Monday of the Octave of Easter, provides the
opportunity to understand the depths of that mystery by discovering how it
impacts our lives.
Wherever and
whenever we encounter Christ, the effects of his resurrection extend to us.
Encountering Jesus clearly flows from the sacraments. When we celebrate the
Eucharist; when we receive forgiveness for our faults and failings in the
Sacrament of Reconciliation to name but two of the sacraments, we encounter the
Risen Christ.
These
weeks of celebrating Easter invite us to set our sights on Jesus, raised from
the cruel death of the cross by God’s loving hands only to come alive again as
the Risen Christ present to us all in so many remarkable and simple ways. Our
task is to open ourselves to the Risen Christ, to the many ways that he is
present to us and to continue to grow as women and men of faith, hope, and love
because of his presence in our lives. Our task these next few weeks during
Easter season is like Mary Magdalene and the other Mary in our Gospel today, to
discover Christ in those persons we meet and in the situations that make up our
lives.
Happy
Easter and have a great Monday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Loving Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness, give us the sense
of your presence, your mercy, your love and your strength. Help us to have complete
trust in your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may
frighten or worry us, for, living close to you, we will see your hand, your
purpose, your will in all things. Amen. (Adapted from a prayer by St. Ignatius
of Loyola)
A Runner’s
Thoughts:
“For every runner who tours the world running marathons, there are thousands
who run to hear the leaves and listen to the rain, and look to the day when it
is suddenly as easy as a bird in flight.” (George Sheehan) So to in the
spiritual life…
Daily
Blessing:
Easter Monday greetings and blessings to all. I hope you had a wonderful Easter
Sunday and that you got to enjoy the day with family and or friends in a
special way. I also hope you were able to give God a little time too!
It is a
rainy day here in Pelham. The kind of day that makes you just want to pull the
covers over your head and stay in bed. Unfortunately, in my advanced years I
can no longer just sleep the day away. I was up early this morning and while
the day outside is not inviting the day still awaits my investment in it!
I hope
despite the weather your Monday has started off well. Perhaps some have off
today while others are making their way back to work. Whatever this day brings
into your life I hope it will be blessed with God’s presence, joy and love.
My
blessing prayer today is simply that you Monday will be filled with the joy and
grace of Easter. That you will encounter the Risen Christ wherever you go, in
the things you do and in the people you meet. That you will live this day not
fearful but overjoyed. Many blessings on this Easter Monday to all! Peace in
Christ’s Passion and Joy in the Risen Lord…Fr. Paul
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