The first is that I think all of us have
been in Jacob’s (Gen. 28:10-22a) sandals at one time or another. Jacob is on a
journey, he is in search of a wife. He stops for the evening to rest and
encounters a special place. He encounters a place of connection with God that
enables him to know of God’s presence and action in his life. He encounters a
bridge with God between heaven and earth.
We have all been to or in a place that
after sometime there we feel very connected to God. It is a place where we
sense something special. It might be a favorite spot at the beach or a setting in
the midst of the mountains. It might be our favorite church or chapel. It might
be a room in building or even our own home. It might be some breath taking view
that we have encountered. In other words all of us have places in our life that
when we are there God seem close, a place where God seems easier to connect
with, a place where it seems easier to experience God’s presence, a place like
Jacob’s place where we encounter the active presence of God bridging the gap
between heaven and earth.
My other thought this morning comes from
the Gospel (Matt. 9:18-26). In the first reading Jacob’s response at least at
first is conditional. Jacob is willing believe, he is willing to have faith, if
God does a number of things for him on his journey. We find a different kind of
faith in the Gospel. Both the official and the woman have unconditional faith,
no strings attached. Even though his daughter is dead the official still
searches out Jesus. He knows that even in death an encounter with Jesus can
mean life. The woman who has struggled with health issues for many years just
wants to touch Jesus’ clothing that simple action will make all the difference.
These two faith filled people teach us
the value, the gift of unconditional faith. They teach us that when we place
our trust in God wonderful things, sometimes even impossible things happen!
Today let us not pass up any opportunity
to encounter a place, a person, an experience that will help us to know of
God’s active presence in our life. Let us be people of unconditional faith so
that as we journey through life there is always the possibility for wonderful
if not impossible things to happen.
Daily Prayer: Loving God,
help us today and always to be open to the gift of your presence in our life.
Grant us the strength to be people who can place our trust in you. Help us to
see how active your presence is in our life and in the world around us. Give us
the willingness to spread the Good News of your love to all we meet. Amen!
Runner’s Thought: As prayerful
runner we always seem to find it inadequate to sit and wait for the Spirit to
appear. As prayerful runners, we always want to run towards God but if we are
prayerful runner’s what we always find is that God is running toward us at
twice the speed! (Adapted
from Roger Joslin – Running the Spiritual Path)
Well Happy Monday everyone! The weekend
was a bit busy that is why you didn’t hear much from me. My Monday has stayed
in step with the weekend. It certainly started early with a 4:00 am call from
the hospital. In the few days that I have been here at Sacred Heart Parish in
Mount Holly, NJ I have truly been welcomed into the life of a parish priest. I
have been to the hospital five times since Saturday. I have celebrated eight
masses and there are three funerals already scheduled for the week. Well, if
anything it is keeping me busy and out of trouble!
I was able to get in a 6. 5 mile run in
the heat yesterday afternoon, it cleared the cobwebs and energized me for the
rest of the day. Hopefully I can get a little run in this afternoon too because
as the day goes on I think my energy will need renewed 4:00 am was a bit early!
I trust you had a wonderful long weekend
filled with family, friends, a little rest and relaxation and some wonderful
moments. Now we head into a new week and I pray for all of you that it will be
one with many blessings, many gifts and many encounters with love. Have a great
day, a wonderful week, stay cool and enjoy! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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