Jesus
asks us to be merciful. He is not looking beyond the law and tradition. Jesus'
whole life and ministry was an example of how to respond to sin. The religious
leadership, some of whom we meet in the Gospel today, were upset because Jesus
often spent time eating and drinking with sinners. They were anger because
Jesus enjoyed the presence of sinners. The scribes and Pharisees argued that
Jesus should shun sinners and that his compassion for them seemed to condone
their life styles. These religious leaders didn't seem to understand that love
heals; that love forgives and that love builds a community of faith, hope and
love.
Pope
Francis constantly calls us to be a community that offers mercy and
forgiveness. He asks us to build bridges rather than walls, because this is
what Jesus has taught us through his words and deeds. We might think that
following the letter of the law defines a good religious person yet paying
attention to the accidentals does not mean that we have invested in the
essentials. Pope Francis asks us to hear Jesus' message that being a good
religious means people who are merciful and compassionate. Pope Francis, like
Jesus, reminds us that mercy proclaims the presence of God. Being merciful
shares the good news of God's mercy. It helps us to lives out our faith and
become a friend of God. Our acts of mercy help to make God present to the
world.
As we
journey through this day let us give thanks for the mercy and love of God who
has reconciled each of us, and remains our help and sustains our lives. Let us
share God’s love and mercy, freely, generously and with compassion.
Have a
great Saturday everyone!
Daily
Prayer: O
God, help us to bring our worldly concerns under control, so that they never
turn our minds from higher things. Help us have earthly things for use but not
as objects of our desires. May there be nothing to hold back the desire of our
minds and hearts; and do not let the delights of this world entrap us. Amen. (Adapted
from a prayer by St. Gregory the Great.)
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “When you've had the perfect run, you've cleared your
soul.” (Pat Monahan) I would say it doesn’t even have to be a perfect
run; sometimes a really tough run or just an ordinary run can still be a way to
clear your heart, mind and soul. And when you can clear your heart, mind and
soul you are not far from peace!
Daily
Blessing:
Saturday greetings and blessings to everyone! I hope you are having a good
Saturday and that life is going well during these early days of September.
I hope
the weather where you are, is beautiful today. The humidity is back up a bit
this morning in Pelham but there is a breeze. We are under a tropical storm
watch the next few days. They say there will be winds and problems with coastal
flooding and beach erosion but not much rain. I guess all of this will make
this holiday weekend a little less enjoyable. I pray that life is going well
for you and that the stresses and struggles that are always a part of life are
not too great for you these days.
On this
final Saturday of the official summer season my prayer today is that God’s
blessings will rest upon all of you wherever you are, wherever you go and in
whatever you will encounter today. I pray your day will be a safe one full of
many wonderful encounters. May you have a faith filled day graced with joy,
peace and love. May you find the richness of God’s presence in your life today
and always. Also I pray that God’s blessings will help you to have a restful
and enjoyable weekend. Have a great Saturday everyone! Peace in Christ's
Passion...Fr. Paul
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