Friday, July 29, 2016

Daily Thoughts - 07/29/2016

Daily Thoughts: “You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.” (Thomas Merton) I thought of these words by Thomas Merton today as I reflected on the readings for the Feast of St. Martha. I think Martha fits these words well.

In the Gospel reading (John 11:19-27) we see a different side of Martha than the one in Luke (10:38-42). It is as if Martha has grown in her faith, her relationship with God and in her understanding of her friendship with Christ. In John, Martha is a faith filled woman, who does not fully understand but recognizes the possibilities and challenges and embraces them with courage, faith and hope. She seeks God in the present moment and in the end is greatly blessed.

We all need to pause and allow the gift of St. Martha’s spirit to enliven our own spirits today. May the spirit of St. Martha gift us with the courage, faith and hope to live this day ready to recognize the possibilities and challenges and embrace them with the grace of God’s love.

Have a great Friday and many blessings to all on this Feast of St. Martha!

Daily Prayer: Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts which no unworthy affections may drag downward. Give us unconquered hearts, which no tribulations can wear out. Give us upright hearts, which no unworthy purpose mat tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you. Amen (Prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas)

A Runner’s Thoughts: “...there was some kind of connection between the capacity to love and the capacity to love *running*. The engineering was certainly the same: both depended on loosening your grip on your own desires, putting aside what you wanted and appreciating what you've got, being patient and forgiving and... undemanding...maybe we shouldn't be surprised that getting better at one could make you better at the other.”  (Christopher McDougall, Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen)

Daily Blessing: Friday greetings and blessings to everyone! I hope this find you well and enjoying your morning and looking forward to the rest of your day!

It is a rainy day here in Pelham. It rained most of the night as I awakened a number of times to hear it banging on the house. I think we are to have rain throughout the day which in a way is good because we need it. You know the old saying, “Into everyone’s life a little rain must fall.” At least we will not be in the 90’s today the high is only to be 80. If this is a rainy day by you may you see it as a day that produces life and coolness!

Enjoy your Friday everyone and may God bless your day with many good experiences and people! I hope all of you will have a great Friday no matter where you are or what today will bring! I pray for God’s blessings upon all of you as you go through your day. May God bless all your endeavors, may God be with you in all of your challenges and in all of your struggles. Please trust in the presence of God that you carry within you and don’t be afraid to share your gift. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul

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