Daily
Thoughts:
“Characters welcome,” use to be the calling card of the USA network. But as I reflect
on the stories of the early Church as they come to us through the Acts of the
Apostles I am reminded that our Church, our community of faith is made up of
characters, faith characters. Some very familiar to us like Peter and Paul
others not so familiar just names or people who appear for a moment yet they
played a role in the development of the early Church.
What is
it that makes a “character of faith?” Well, I think our answer is in today’s
Gospel. Jesus has just washed the feet of the disciples and he reminds them
that “no slave is greater than his master and no messenger is greater than the
one who sent him.” Thus, a “character of faith” is someone who follows the
words and actions of Jesus. A “character of faith” has faith in God and faith
in Jesus. A “character of faith” follows Jesus and believes that in following
Jesus they will make their way to the gift of eternal life.
One thing
is for sure because we are “characters of faith” we will not live life the same
way and every once in a while we will need to stop and listen for the voice of
God in our life. We will need to receive those whom God sends into our life.
But as a faith character we take comfort and have hope that Jesus will always
take the time to point us in the right direction.
The sad
thing is that like in the early Church, like during the time of Jesus,
characters are not always welcome. We have all been gifted by being created in
the image and likeness of God. Each of us are different, each of us are unique
and special. And as we will learn a little later in John’s Gospel Jesus is the
way, the truth and the life. There are many dwelling place in the eternal home
thus there is room for every character!
Have a
blessed Thursday everyone!
Daily
Prayer: O
God, author of life and freedom, hear us as we call upon you to help guide us
through life today. Help us to trust in your loving presence so that we will be
true to the “character” that you have created us to be. May we never be afraid
to ask for your help especially when we are not sure which way to go. Give us
the strength to not be troubled by the anger and negativity of the world, but
to have faith and hope in you. Grace us with the energy to live life with truth
and authenticity. Amen!
A
Runner’s Thoughts: Oprah Winfrey once said, “Running is the greatest metaphor
for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.” So as we run today let us put God into our
run.
Daily
Blessing: Thursday
greetings and blessings to everyone! I hope your day has started off well, with
a little sunshine and warmer temperatures! If not, I pray the morning setbacks
are only temporary and things will be humming along by the afternoon.
I had a
good Confirmation Retreat Day with the students from St. Barnabas Parish. There
were 38 students, half the class, I will do another day in May for the other
half of the class. The kids were good and responsive though as always there
were a few who pushed my patience a little. But I was happy to celebrate the
day and offer a little wisdom and knowledge about the Sacrament of
Confirmation, and hopefully helping them to see the sacrament a little
differently.
Today
will be a quiet day in my life. I have the 11 am mass at the Wartburg Home and
not much else. I will begin to get my thing together as I leave for two weeks
on the road on Saturday. First stop will be Manitowoc, WI and a retreat for the
Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity and then it will be on to Seton Hill,
PA and a retreat for the Sisters of Charity. So I need to get my act together
so to speak and begin the process of packing so I don’t leave home without the
things that I need!
My prayer
of blessing today is that all of you will have a great Thursday filled with
many blessings and graced with many moments that will put a smile on your face.
Please know that you are in my prayers today and always. Peace in Christ’s
Passion and Joy in the Risen Lord…Fr. Paul
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