Daily Thoughts - 06/25/2013

Daily Thoughts: I think today’s Gospel (Matt 7:6, 12-14) is about reverence, and respect. Jesus seems to indicate that the road to reverence and respect is a narrow one that is a difficult journey but certainly one that is worth the struggle.

There are always people out in the world that find it easy to disrespect us. As Jesus seems to indicate the road of selfishness and “me first” is wide and has many travelers.

Perhaps the focus of today’s Gospel rests in these words by Thomas Merton:

“To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.

Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.”

If we recognize the Love of God in ourselves and in others we will be on the right road!

Daily Prayer:

O God, we thank you for the gift of this day.
Give us the energy we need to face our work; with the attentiveness we need to do it well.
Give us the self-discipline we need to finish it even if no one sees and no one praises us.
Give us the self-respect which will inspire us not to produce anything which is less than our best.
Give us the courtesy and the considerateness which will make us easy to live and work with.
Help us to live today so that we will make the world a happier more hopeful place wherever we go. Amen! (Adapted from a prayer by William Barclay)

Runner’s Thought: A smile as we run can help us remain focused, it often causes others to smile back which can be uplifting and perhaps most importantly it can remind us that that we have been graced by God. So as we run today let’s put a smile on our face!

Tuesday greetings to all! Another 90 plus day here in Pelham hopefully it is a bit cooler by you. It is days like today that makes me glad I have a gym membership and that I have the option to put in my miles with the benefit of air conditioning! Not saying I will run inside today but I do have the option.

My prayer for all of you is that you have a great day! May it be one filled with blessings, hope, peace, laughter and shade! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul