Daily
Thoughts:
“Something greater than the temple is here.” A line from our Gospel today
(Matt. 12:1-8) and we might be tempted to think it was meant only for those to
whom Jesus is speaking. But it is meant for us here and now. We might not have
Jesus standing in our midst but we have his Spirit with us and it is greater
than any temple, any church or any cathedral. The challenge is the same for us
as it was for those who gathered to listen to Jesus; we have to recognize the
presence and the Spirit of God in our midst.
Jesus
gives us a clue on how to make sure that we don’t miss the presence of God. The
clue is to be people of mercy. People a tune to and compassionate towards the
struggles, challenges, difficulties and failings of others and ourselves. People
willing to help and not judge; people willing to be compassionate and not
self-righteous. People willing to include not exclude.
Living
life from a stance of compassion and mercy is not always easy; it can be
difficult and challenging. However, being a compassionate and merciful person
does help us to be ready and open to encounter something greater than ourselves
the presence and friendship of God.
Today is
the feast of St. Bonaventure, a doctor of the Church, a Franciscan, a
philosopher, theologian and a mystic. He was a biographer of St. Francis, a
contemporary of St. Thomas Aquinas, a teacher and a bishop. We might say
Bonaventure was a man of many gifts and talents. We might say that St.
Bonaventure was a man who lived from a stance of mercy and compassion, who didn’t
let his smarts get in the way of God’s grace and that is why he is a saint
today.
Have a
great Friday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Loving God, thank you for the abilities that you have placed in our life. Help
us to acknowledge these gifts and give us the courage to develop and use them
in helping to make your presence known. Help us to be merciful and
compassionate people who are always aware of something greater in life. We pray
this so that we may never miss the gift of your presence in our life and that
we may share it with the world around us. Amen!
A
Runner’s Thoughts: When we run in a spiritual way, we are brought into the
process of God-ing. Meaning as we run we are not moving toward God but
interacting with God along the way. Our run becomes a direct physical,
emotional and spiritual way of becoming who we are, our authentic selves. In
the process we open up vast and unlimited opportunities to connect with God in
new, life giving ways!
Daily
Blessing: Friday
blessings and greetings to all! It is beautiful day here is a beautiful but hot
day here in Louisville, KY. Yes, I made it here yesterday. It was a long
13-hour drive but an uneventful one which was greatly appreciated. I arrive
about 7:15 pm got a little dinner and then when to bed. Sorry that my postings
are a little late today. I was moving kind of slow this morning which is why my
daily musings and prayers are a little late. I hope you will understand. I met
with my niece at the church were the baptism will take place on Sunday to make
sure everything is set and now I am back at the hotel getting some work done.
It will be a busy weekend but light lifting for me and I am a spectator for
most of it except for the baptism.
As I
begin my blessing prayer for today my thoughts and prayers are with the people
of Nice, France. I pray for all who lost their life last night that they might
now be at peace with God. I prayer for all who lost loved ones and friends that
they might find comfort. I pray for the people of France who must go through
another tragedy. Just when you think you have seen it all something new
happens. How tragic, how evil! May all effected by last night’s terror find
comfort through our prayers.
My prayer
of blessing today for all of us is that God will grace us with the strength to
somehow help the world take a step closer to peace by living our life with
compassion, love and joy today! Please my friends don’t begin this day with
hate in your hearts. Don’t see the world through the eyes of the 24-hour news
stations. Don’t point your figures and blame. Don’t disrespect others not like
you. Allow God’s blessing to touch your life and be a person of peace, of
compassion, of hope, of joy and of love today. Be this person today for your
family, for your friends, for your faith community, for those you work with,
for those you meet, for the world, and for yourself.
Have a
great Friday everyone, put a smile on your face and trust that you are loved by
God even in those moments of struggle. May God bless you today and always and
thanks for being the person that you are because you certainly make this world
a better place and life worth living! Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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