Daily Thoughts - 07/25/2013

Daily Thoughts: I have to say that today’s first reading on this Feast of St. James from St. Paul (2Cor. 4:7-15) is one of my all-time favorites. Paul uses the image of “earthen vessels” to talk about himself and us in terms of our relationship with God. Paul says we hold the treasure of our faith, the presence of God, in earthen vessels, in other words in us. Now some say Paul us talking about large water jugs, others say he was referring to terracotta lamps, either way it is a striking image. Within the fragility of this human condition we carry the gift of God.

What a wonderful way to think about ourselves. I have often thought about reading this little passage from St. Paul each morning upon getting up, what a way to enter a new day knowing that I carry within me the presence of God. Knowing that I am not perfect, that I am cracked, chipped, scratched, in other words I am human yet I have this wonderful gift within me.

Paul goes on to say life is tough however because of the gift we have within us things will be ok. We will get through the trials and tribulations of life because of the power of God, the friendship of God.

So as we journey through this day let us be reminded that we are earthen vessels, fragile, imperfect, at times struggling but we are also blessed with a great gift within us, the presence, the grace, the love of God. And when we face the struggles, difficulties and challenges that life throws at us the power of this gift within us will see us through.

Happy Feast of St. James everyone!

Daily Prayer:

Loving God we pray;

We hold a treasure - Not made of gold - In earthen vessels, wealth untold
One treasure only, the Lord, the Christ - In earthen vessels.

Light has shown in our darkness - God has shown in our hearts
With the light of the glory - Of Jesus the Lord.

We hold a treasure - Not made of gold - In earthen vessels, wealth untold
One treasure only, the Lord, the Christ - In earthen vessels.

He has chosen the lowly - Who are small in this world
In his weakness His Glory -In Jesus the Lord

We hold a treasure - Not made of gold - In earthen vessels, wealth untold
One treasure only, the Lord, the Christ - In earthen vessels.

Loving God help us to believe and live these words today and always! Amen!

(Words from Earthen Vessels by John Foley, S.J.)

Runner’s Thought: As prayerful runners let us not run with a sense of expectation that something significant will happen spiritually. Let us run only asking that our run be in the presence of God and that we will run with a heightened awareness of God’s presence. If we run this way occasionally insights will come our way and we might feel a special closeness to God, but usually we will simply know that we are not running alone and we will carry with us the sense of a shared journey long after we have finished our run! (Adapted from Running the Spiritual Path by Roger Joslin)

Happy Thursday everyone and Happy Feast of St. James especially to all those with the name James! I hope your day has started off well and that it will be blessed in a special way as you journey through it. If you are finding life a struggle today please know as always you are in my prayers and I will say a special prayer that it gets at least a little better as the day goes on.

The weather certainly has changed here in northeastern Pennsylvania, we were in the 60’s most of yesterday and this morning it started out in the 50’s. I am not complaining! It looks to be a beautiful day on this the ninth day of the novena here at St. Ann’s. We will be finishing up tomorrow with the feast day and I will be heading back to New York tomorrow night as I have a long run scheduled in Central Park on Saturday morning. It has been a wonderful novena, very spirit filled yet it will be nice to finish tomorrow. I hope you are enjoying good weather wherever you are and that today will be one to enjoy!

Have a great day and believe in the treasure that you carry within you and that you are! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul