Daily
Thoughts:
As we celebrate the feast of the Nativity of Mary we are reminded in the Gospel
(Matthew 1: 1-16, 18-23), that Mary,
Joseph and Jesus are part of the great human family. A human family made up of
saints and sinners and everything in between. It might seem tedious to read the
long list of names at the beginning of the Gospel many of whom we know nothing
about. As I began my ministry many years ago I would get so nervous when the
genealogy of Matthew or Luke would appear as the Gospel. However, over the
years I have become comfortable with them and now I even look forward to
proclaiming either genealogy. I guess I have grown familiar with the cast of
characters and what they remind me of concerning my faith.
Isn’t
that what life is about – remembering the stories of life, honoring those
stories and growing accustom to life. Seeing people and things differently,
telling the stories that remind us who we are and from where we have come.
Remembering the characters good and bad that have made up our lives and molded
us into the people we are today. Today we remember Mary’s birth into this
world. We remember Joseph’s “yes” to God that kept the story going. We remember
two faith filled people who celebrated and honored the gift of family and made
it possible for all of us to be people of faith today.
When we
read or hear the genealogy of Christ whether from Matthew or Luke we are
reminded that even though Jesus is God, he is also human, also part of this
great human family and the characters, the women and men, who believed, who
struggled, said yes and sometimes no, who embraced a relationship with God and
sometimes didn’t, who lived life making it possible for Jesus to come into this
world to embrace us with his love.
Here’s to
the characters in all of our lives. Here’s to the characters of the human
family. Here’s to Mary as we remember her birthday. Here’s to Joseph and Mary
the central characters of our story today who said “yes” that we might
celebrate Jesus the Christ!
Have a
great Thursday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
O Mary, when you were born the world was made light. In your great love be
merciful to us who are often sinners, and give us strength and perseverance as
we journey through this life. O joyous Mary, just as your nativity announced joy
to the entire world, may it fill us with true joy and enliven our hope.
Intercede for us, O loving Mary that the gift of your nativity may enliven
God’s grace within us and help to say yes to his invitation to love. Amen. (Adapted from a prayer by St. Ambrose of
Milan)
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “Running taught me valuable lessons. In cross-country
competition, training counted more than intrinsic ability, and I could
compensate for a lack of natural aptitude with diligence and discipline. I
applied this in everything I did.” (Nelson
Mandela)
Daily
Blessing:
Thursday greetings and blessings to all. I hope your day which probably feels
like a Wednesday has started off well. It looks to be a beautiful day here in
Pelham however I think it is going to be hot and the humidity has certainly
returned. I guess it is just a reminder that summer is still with us!
Last
night I was reminded that it was just a year ago, September 5th that
my good friend and Passionist brother Fr. Michael Greene, C.P. lost his brother
Dennis to cancer. Dennis was Fr. Michael’s older brother, who during the 1960’s
was a member of the singing group Sha Na Na. Dennis was a wonderful man who had
a great command of the English language. He was a law professor at the
University of Dayton when he died. His battle with esophageal cancer was a
short one as he was only diagnosed a few weeks before his death. I would like
to remember Dennis and Fr. Michael today. Mr. Dennis Greene touched many lives
with his music, his intelligence, his kindness, his humor and his faith. He is truly
missed. May he now rest in the loving hands of God! – Peace to you Fr. Michael.
I pray
that God’s blessings will be upon you today and always. May God’s blessing be
with you wherever you are and upon whatever you are doing. May God bless you
with the grace, peace, joy and love you need to live this day and in living
this day may you bring God’s presence to all you meet! Peace in Christ’s
Passion…Fr. Paul
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