Perhaps Mitch Albom gives us some
insight into the Gospel story today (Luke 7:1-10). The centurion’s faith was
recognizable in his actions. He cared for the community he served, he even
built them a place for prayer. He cared his own household. No treating them as
property but valuing and caring for them. He recognized the presence of God in
his life even though he did not belong to the faith community and perhaps most
importantly he recognized his own unworthiness to be in the presence of God but
trusted in God’s compassion and love.
These actions enable Jesus to see his
true faith and looked what happened. How we act reflects what kind of faith we
have. I pray today that all of us may learn to live and act as the centurion in
the Gospel so that God finds great faith in us.
Daily Prayer:
Loving God, grant that we may never fall
away in success or in failure; that we may not be prideful in prosperity nor
dejected in adversity. Let us rejoice only in what unites us and sorrow only in
what separates us. May we strive to please no one or fear to displease anyone
except you. May we see always the things that are eternal and never those that
are only mundane. May we shun any joy that is without you and never seek any
that is beside you. May we delight in any work we do for you and tire of any
rest that is apart from you. Let us direct our hearts towards you, and in our
failings, always repent with a purpose of improvement. Loving God may we always
live by faith! Amen. (Adapted
from a prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas)
Runner’s Thought: I often hear
someone say I'm not a real runner. We are all runners, some just run faster
than others. I never met a fake runner. (Bart Yasso) Might we also say this about
people of faith? It is easy to judge, but we never know what is in a person’s
heart. With that said I have never met a fake person of faith!
Today's Blessing: Happy Monday everyone! I hope your
weekend when well and that your favorite team or teams won if you are in to
sports. If not I hope you had a weekend unbothered by sports and full of what
gives you life.
As for me, my Pirates took three out of
four games from the Cubs, (sorry Chicago fans) and remain tied for first place
with the St. Louis Cardinals. My Steelers play tonight and I ran 18 miles on
Sunday and continue to live to write about it though I am walking a bit slower this
morning! So all in all I can say it was a good weekend! This week I will reduce
my running mileage to prepare for a marathon next week in Columbus, IN. It will
be the first of three marathons in a six week period. Now don’t I know how to
have fun! Prayers requested!
Well enough of my crazy tales, the focus
as always is today and I pray for all of you as you journey through today may
it be a good journey. May you live by faith today and trust in the gift that
you are. May God recognize your faith and bless you as he blessed the centurion
in the Gospel today. If you are struggling with your faith may you decide to
return home so that God can run to meet you and hold you in his arms as the
father did in Sunday’s Gospel. Blessings today upon all you do, upon everyone you
meet and most importantly upon all of you! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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