At times
I want justice or maybe more so revenge, yes I want an eye for an eye. I don’t
like to get hit at all and I certainly don’t want to turn the other cheek. I am
happy at times to go the extra mile but not always. You can have my jacket or
coat as long as it is an old one and I have another. And it seems at times
there are people on every street corner and subway stop if I give to everyone I
will be broke within a day!
Yes,
often I fail when it comes to Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel and that bothers
me! How can I be a person of faith, how can I be a Christian, a Catholic and
fall so short? Jesus’ words are haunting words today and I have no answer. Sure
I have often rationalized – I can’t give to everyone; the money will surely be
used for drugs or drink; they got what they deserved; somebody has to teach
them a lesson; it’s too cold; I don’t have time; somebody else will help them;
and on and on!
But Jesus
doesn’t give conditions or excuses he just says offer no resistance, turn the
other cheek, give your coat, go the extra mile and don’t turn your back! So I
am still faced with my imperfection, I am still face with how to act and live.
I have no intelligent answer, no sage wisdom of many years. All I can say is
that it is perhaps good to pause and listen to or read Jesus’ words in
Matthew’s Gospel today knowing that we are not perfect but also reminding
ourselves that there is still much to learn, much to do. Perhaps, Jesus’ words
make sure that we see the world around us and that we don’t close our eyes to
it!
Have a
great Monday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Loving God, we thank you for wanting to enter our lives. Help us to let go of
the things we think are so important yet they always seem to stand in the way
of your presence in our lives. Grace us with the strength to open the door of
our hearts today, so that as we ask you to come in nothing will stand in the
way of our love for you. We want you to make our hearts your home, today and
always. Amen!
A
Runner’s Thoughts: As you run today try to make you run a God-centered run.
In other words, make your run a run in which you honor God through the voices
of nature. Let yourself experience all the sounds of nature around you as you
run; the wind, the trees, the leaves. Listen to the sounds of water if you run
near a creek, river or the ocean. Smell the scents of nature around you.
Remember in the Psalms, the rivers clapped and the ocean roar in praise of God,
so join in the chorus with your run. Look, purposefully, for signs of God’s
creation, offering praise. Become one among the many voices of creation to give
praise as you run today! (Adapted from Roger Joslin)
Daily
Blessing:
Monday greetings and blessings to all! I hope you had a great weekend and that
your Monday is starting off well. I find myself in Chardon, Ohio at the
motherhouse of the Sisters of Notre Dame. Our retreat started last evening
after dinner. There are 25 sisters on retreat. There seems to be a good spirit
and I am looking forward to the week. I would ask your prayers for the sisters who
are on retreat this week and also for their preacher!
As seems
all too often these days we are pausing to pray for the victims of tragedy. Let
us remember the shooting victims in Orlando today and those who grieve their
loss. I wonder if this violence will ever end? I wonder if there will ever be a
day when anger and hate will be replaced by love and peace? To be honest I
really wish politicians, especially one with a really big mouth, (though I
guess they all have big mouths) would stop fanning the flames of hate, anger and
violence with their senseless rhetoric. May those who lost their lives in this
senseless act of violence now be at peace with God and those who remain behind
be comforted by God’s mercy! And may one day we beat our tools of violence into
life giving tools of peace.
In the
midst of this violent world I pray that this will be a good and safe day and
week for you wherever you are and whatever you are and will be doing. May you
find some time to enjoy the gift of God’s creation and may whatever challenges
you face be solved quickly and in a positive life giving way. Enjoy your day
and blessings to all! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment