Daily Thoughts - 05/16/2013

Daily Thought: “Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: ‘I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their words….’” There is comfort for us in today’s Gospel (John 17:20-26). While we still find ourselves listening to Jesus talk about his and our relationship with the Father as we have been for most of the Easter Season, today Jesus let us know that his prayer is not only for his disciples but for us, those who believe because we have heard.

Jesus looks ahead with his prayer today, ahead to all those who will come after him and somehow, in some way, come to believe. Jesus prays for people like you and me who have listened to the words of parents, relatives, teachers, preachers and come to know and believe in Jesus.

St. Paul in the first reading (Acts 22:30; 23:611) is an example of the power of Jesus’ prayer. Paul knows human nature and he used it to his advantage today so that he can continue to proclaim the Good News. St. Paul is a witness to the presence of God in the world and because of his witness we to have a chance to believe.

As we journey through this day let us be thankful for Jesus’ prayer that we too might be included in God’s love if we have the courage to believe in the Good News that we hear!

Daily Prayer: 
God be in our head and in our understanding today.

God be in our eyes, and in our seeing today.
God be in our mouth and in our speaking today.
God be in our feet and in our traveling today.
God be in our hands and in our embracing today.
God be in our ears and in our listening today.
God be in our soul and in our believing today.
God be in our hearts and in our loving today.
God be in us and everything we do today. Amen!
                                    (Adapted from a Celtic Prayer)

Runner’s Thought: If we chose to be a spiritual runner we can learn three things about ourselves.  We can learn how to keep moving forward through whatever life throws at us. We can learn who we truly are, our best self. We can learn that we are never alone and always love because we have God running with us!

Happy Thursday everyone! I trust your day has started off well. If not please know you are in my prayers and I will say a special prayer after finishing this post that your day will get better.

We are waiting on a warm one here in Pelham today. The sun has just popped through the morning clouds and I can feel the warmth in the air. I was slow moving today as I was awakened at 3:42 am this morning by some young folk who decided either to begin our end their day with a little party and some music not too far from my bedroom window. Awe to be young again, if I was I would have gotten up and joined them instead I wished bad things upon them!

Have a great day everyone and blessings upon your work, your rest, your loved ones and you! Peace in Christ’s Passion and Hope in the Risen Lord…Fr. Paul