Daily Thoughts: I was thinking
early this morning about my Uncle Joe. June 11th is his anniversary
of death. He died some 31 years ago. He was my only uncle and I guess you could
say I looked up to him, both literally and figuratively. I was a big man at
least by the standards of those days. He has played football in high school. He
was a lineman. He has the personality of a salesman, which he was, not in a
negative way, but a positive way. He could talk to anyone and just being around
him made you feel at ease. He would call me “Pedro.” I am not sure why as my name is Paul and “Pedro”
means Peter, however I didn’t mind and use to look forward to his greeting of “Pedro”
whenever the family got together.
Uncle Joe, at least from my perspective,
was a positive man always willing to pass along a good word or two. He was fun
loving and at times would like to “stir the pot” at family gatherings just to
keep things lively. He always seemed to have encouraging words for everyone he
met.
I share these things about my Uncle Joe
because today we celebrate the feast of St. Barnabas. Now Barnabas’ original
name was Joseph and Barnabas’ name means “son of encouragement.” I guess in thinking about my uncle I could not
help but connect the two. Two men who because of their personalities and their
outlook on life brought encouragement and energy to whomever they met. They
brought the presence of God. They were gifts in the lives of the people they
met. They each did it in their own way and I am grateful for having known them,
one in real life and the other in my story of faith.
I am thankful for both Barnabas and
Joseph today and may their spirits of encouragement bless all of us as we
wander through this day and always! Have a great “Hump Day” everyone and
remember to be a joyful noise today!
Daily Prayer: Loving God,
please send people of encouragement who bring your presence in to our lives. We
thank you for the family and friends that we have now who encourage us. Always
bless us with the wisdom and favor of family, friends and people who bring the
gift of encouragement to our lives always! We pray this through the source of
all encouragement Jesus the Lord! Amen!
A Runner’s Thoughts: One of the
things about running is that our greatest runs are rarely measured by great
achievements or racing success. They are moments in time when running allows us
to see how wonderful our life is. They are moments in time when running enables
us to encounter the presence of God. (Adapted from a quote by Kara Goucher)
And a second thought about running from
Runner’s World – “There are as many reasons for running as there are days in
the year, years in my life. But mostly I run because I am an animal and a
child, an artist and a saint. So, too, are you. Find your own play, your own
self-renewing compulsion, and you will become the person you are meant to be.”
(George Sheehan)
Daily Blessing: Wednesday
greetings to all! I truly hope the first part of your week has been a good one
and that your “Hump Day” has started off in a positive way. We have clouds and
rain today here in Pelham with a damp coolness to the air. I guess we are to
have this weather for the next couple of day. Things around here will certainly
continue to be green!
I journey to Boston yesterday to attend
the funeral of Fr. Fidelis Connolly, C.P. It was a long day but I was glad that
I had gone. “Fid” was an important part of my early Passionist life and it was
nice to celebrate the gift of his life.
I pray for God’s blessings upon your day
today that it will be filled with many positives and that the negatives will
only be fleeting moments. Please know I am trying to do my part for you by
asking God’s blessings upon all you do, upon everyone you meet and upon
everyone you love! May there be many words, signs and people of encouragement in your life today!
Peace in Christ’s Passion and Joy in the Wisdom of God…Fr. Paul
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