We have to live by faith and hope not
personal contact. Our time is a time of trusting in God’s presence and having
faith that God is at work in us helping us make the right choices, helping us
live a good life.
We might say that Pope Francis has
challenged us to take up the “yoke” that Jesus mentions in the Gospel today
(Matthew 11:28-30). It is the “yoke” and “burden” of the people around us who
do not have the necessities of life, who are hungry, cold, homeless and
suffering.
Yes, seeing these people, encountering
them, perhaps even being one them is a burden and a yoke that is heavy,
difficult to carry and a problem which often seems impossible to solve. Yet,
Jesus says pick it up, carry it, but not alone. Like Jesus, Pope Francis knows
that if we do this we will learn from Jesus and we will come to know that the
impossible can become of the possible.
Perhaps our challenge today is to be “humble
of heart” and trust in God’s strength to help us help the world. Have a great
day everyone!
Daily Prayer: Loving God, we
are grateful for this wonderful enterprise you have invited us to, this journey
called life. Grace us with your gift of hope so that we might never lose faith
in your loving presence which is always ready to lead us down the right road. Help
us to trust that you will never leave us alone or let us grow weary but give us
the strength of eagles’ wings so that we can live our life to its fullest.
Amen!
Runner’s Thoughts: In the first
reading (Isaiah 40: 25-31) from today’s mass Isaiah writes, “They will run and
not grow weary….” As I read these words this morning I could not help but think
about running. I don’t know any runner, except maybe the elite runners who when
starting out on a training run or a race does hope that they will run and not
grow weary. It is the vision of every runner to run strong and to finish.
It is the hope of every person of faith
to live life to the fullest, to remain strong and faithful and to finish. St.
Paul tells us to run life focused on the finish line. We need to always look
ahead not behind. Pope Francis, Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, has us
looking ahead and has challenged us not to grow weary in our service as a
Church to the poor, the homeless and the hungry.
Running is a wonderful metaphor for life. When we
run we are reminded of the challenges of life but also the gifts of life. As
Isaiah says, “They that hope in the Lord, will renew their strength, they will
soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow
faint.” Running is about having hope, faith is about having hope and in each
case hope leads us at time to making the impossible – possible!
Daily Blessing: Happy Wednesday
everyone! No I didn’t use “Happy Hump Day” because at this time of the year the
weeks seem much longer than seven days. It often feels like one big week from
Thanksgiving to Christmas. We always just busy, busy, busy – never stopping! So
just Happy Wednesday in the midst of our journey to Christmas!
I hope you day has started off well.
That those affected by the weather these last days are now back to normal,
whatever normal is! The sun is shining here is Pelham but the air is very cold.
Oh, how I long for spring and warmer weather. However that is a long way off
and winter is our life at the moment.
I pray that you are not too busy these
days and there are moments to relax and just enjoy the gift of Advent, the gift
of family, the gift of friends or even the gift of solitude! May God bless you
today and always – in the words of Isaiah – with the strength to run and not
grow weary, walk and not grow faint and that you may soar through this day on
eagles’ wings as people of faith who hope in God with strength renewed! Peace
in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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