Daily Thoughts: Today, we are gifted
with a great reading that allows us to reflect on our relationship with God.
The first reading from the Letter from James offers to us very good advice. James
writes that “everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger for
anger does not accomplish the righteousness of God.” It reminds us of the
importance of listening before we speak a quality that sometimes we forget
about. I someone telling me long ago that “God gave us two ears and one mouth,
so, use them accordingly.”
James reminds us today of the need to
listen before we speak, to not live life in anger and to make sure that what we
believe is seen in our actions. We live a life often clutter with noise – the
computer, the iPod, TV, radio and a whole lot more. This can all be very good
for us but it can also distract us and distract us from our relationship with
God.
I have always felt that God tries day in
and day out, moment in and moment out to speak to us, to connect with us, yet
we are so overstimulated by other things that we do not have time to hear what God
has to say. Thus, what James has to say to us today is important. We need to take
time and listen not to the distractions around us but to our hearts, to the
presence of God in the world around us. We need to unplug every once in a
while!
James reminds us also and perhaps most
importantly, that we should not only hear the word of God, but we need to act
on it. And what better way to act than to unselfishly care for those most in need.
In doing this, we humbly welcome God’s words.
Have a great Wednesday afternoon and
evening everyone!
Daily Prayer: Lord God, help
us to slow down and to listen so that we can become your instrument of peace.
So that when we encounter hatred, we will bring love. So that when we encounter
injury, we will help with forgiveness. So that when we encounter doubt, we will
offer faith. So that when we encounter despair, we will be bringers of hope. So
that when we encounter darkness, we will turn on the light. So that when we
encounter sadness, we will offer joy.
O Loving Friend, grant that we will not always
seek to be consoled but we will offer consolation. Grant that we will not
always seek to be understood but we will be understanding people. Grant that we
will not seek only to be loved, but we will be loving people.
For in listening to you we have come to
believe that it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are
pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. (Adapted from
the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi)
Runner’s Thoughts: Mother Teresa
saw Christ in the face of everyone she met. It is possible to conduct a run
that models her behavior. So as we run, let’s place a smile on our face and
thus offer a blessing to everyone we meet on our run today!
Daily Blessing: Happy Wednesday
everyone! I hope the first half of your day has started off well and that you
are looking forward to a nice afternoon and a restful evening. I hope that those
affected by the weather these last few weeks are getting a respite today it
notice some milder temperatures across the nation.
The sun is shining here is Inverness and
the temperature is in the 70’s and I have to admit I am really enjoy it. There
is a great trail across the street from the parish that is 49 mile long. It is
a great place to run, walk and bike. I have enjoy my runs. It will be hard to
leave this tomorrow and return north but I have also been on the road for three
weeks so It will be nice to empty the suitcase for a week and sleep in my own
bed!
It has been a very nice mission here at
Our Lady of Fatima. There have been nice crowds both in the morning and the
evening. There is a good spirit here and the Holy Spirit has been at work
throughout the week. Please continue to keep the faith community here at Our
Lady of Fatima in your prayers and if you get a chance to add an extra prayer
for their preacher it would be greatly appreciated.
I pray that you are not too busy today
and there are moments to relax and just enjoy the gift of God’s presence in family,
friends, people you work with, people you encounter in your journey through
this day and in yourself! May God bless
you today and always – in the words from the Prophet 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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