Thursday, April 7, 2016

Daily Thoughts - 04/07/2016

Daily Thoughts: In our Gospel today, John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, the Evangelist, testifies to Jesus.  He calls us to believe in person of Jesus, in the complete person, of Jesus the Christ or, as he refers to him in today’s Gospel, the Son.

The entire Gospel of John focuses on this act of faith, for in John’s Gospel Jesus offers very little in the way of specific moral teachings or insights. He indicates that we must cling to Jesus and entrust ourselves to the love that God has revealed by sending his Son to be one of us.  John’s Gospel calls us to an letting go of self. It calls us to a trust that places us in the Father's heart and hands right along with Jesus even if it leads us to death to this world. 

This letting go of self is not a matter of earthly wisdom: "The one who is of the earth is earthly, and he speaks on an earthly plane."  The one who comes from above calls us to something beyond earthly values and reasoning. The one from above calls us to trust in love that leaves the merely reasonable far behind.  It is a wisdom that calls us to allow the Spirit to fill us and to generously share the riches we have from the Father through the Son and his Spirit.

Have a great Thursday everyone!

Daily Prayer: Loving God, give us the grace to be strong, prudent, just and wise in all things today. Give us an exact faith, generous love, and unshakeable trust in you. Fill us with the spirit of intelligence and wisdom. Let us always be considerate of others. O perfect and eternal light, enlighten us this day. Amen! (Adapted from a prayer by Alcuin of York)

A Runner’s Thoughts: Ask yourself, “Can I give more?” The answer is usually, “Yes.” (Paul Tergat) So to in the spiritual life…

Daily Blessing: Thursday greetings and blessings to all! I hope your Thursday is starting off well. It looks to be a rainy day here in Pelham but they say the temperature will be a little milder than previous days. Perhaps you are lucky enough to have the sun out where you are?

I would like to ask that you to take a little time in prayer today for a family I was asked to pray for yesterday. The father and husband has a very rare blood disorder and has been receiving experimental treatments but those treatments are no longer working and now he faces the end of his life. He will leave behind a wife and four children. The children range in age from ninth grade to a senior in college. Please keep Mike and his family in your prayers that his transition will be without pain and as full of grace as is possible. And that his family will be graced and comforted during this time of letting go and loss.

My prayer of blessing today is that you will have a blessed day rich in the grace of the Easter Season. May the Risen Christ touch your life with the joy of God’s mercy and love. May you be touch by the newness of life as you encounter others, as you journey through your day and as you share the gift of who you are with the world. Peace in Christ's Passion and Joy in the Risen Lord...Fr. Paul

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