Daily Thoughts - 06/12/2013

Daily Thought: After reading today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:17-19) one might ask the question, “What law is Jesus speaking about?” At first glance we might be tempted to say that Jesus was about abolishing the law rather than fulfilling it. His life and ministry often seemed to challenge Jewish law rather than support it or fulfill it.

However, we might journey back to a conversation Jesus had with a scribe not too long ago (Mark 12:28-34 June 6^th), the scribe asked Jesus, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus’ responds was to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself, these are the two great commandments. Now if we think of this conversation in light of today’s Gospel then we might begin have a real understanding of what law Jesus is talking about.

All of law flows from these two great commandments, love of God and neighbor. Jesus’ life was about fulfilling these commandments, his life, his actions, his teaching and his ministry all centered on living a life in love of God and others. All that Jesus said and did was to bring fulfillment to the great law of love.

Jesus showed us the way to fulfill the law, to change the world. Thus, the challenge for us in today’s Gospel is about how we live our life. Do we live our life in order to help bring fulfillment to the law of love? Do we live life loving God, others and ourselves?

Daily Prayer:  Loving God, May the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, be our touchstone, be our comfort, be our answer to all the dark questions. May the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, be the light of all nights, the sign that you have chosen us, the mysterious and sure sign that we are yours for all eternity. Amen!

Runner’s Thought: As we run today let’s imagine that God is at our side, running along with us. Imagine how God would look with kindness into the faces of all whom the two of us would meet as we run. Imagine how God would find good in everyone we encounter. Thus, as we run today, let us look for good in everyone. Let us look for good within ourselves.  (Adapted from Roger Joslin – Running the Spiritual Path)

I am as happy as a camel on Wednesday! Yes, my friends, it’s Hump Day! I hope everyone’s day has started off well. The sun is out here in Pelham, there is a gentle breeze and I have to say all is well at this moment at least in this little part of the world. Sorry that I didn’t connect with you yesterday but I spent part of the morning at the dentist and the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon dealing with a dying phone. I am now a “Blackberry Man!”

Friends, I pray that you have a great day! Many blessings upon all that you do, upon everyone you meet and upon all whom you love! Most importantly blessing upon you and the gift of love that you are to this world! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul