Daily Thoughts: Living with a
generous and willing heart is not always easy and sometimes is downright
frustrating. At least it always has been
for me. I truly want to follow the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:
38-42), “Give to the one who asks of you and do not turn your back on the one
who wants to borrow.” Yet, time and time again I struggle with Gospel way that
Jesus outlines today.
At times I want justice or maybe more so
revenge, yes I want an eye for an eye. I don’t like to get hit at all and I
certainly don’t want to turn the other cheek. I am happy at time to go the
extra mile but not always. You can have my jacket or coat as long as it is an
old one and I have another. And it seems at times there are people on every
street corner and subway stop if I give to everyone I will be broke within a
day!
Yes, often I fail when it comes to Jesus’
words in today’s Gospel and that bothers me! How can I be a person of faith,
how can I be a Christian, a Catholic and fall so short? Jesus’ words are
haunting words today and I have no answer. Sure I have often rationalized – I
can give to everyone; the money will surely be used for drugs or drink; they
got what they deserved; somebody has to teach them a lesson; it’s too cold; I
don’t have time; somebody else will help them; and on and on!
But Jesus doesn’t give conditions or
excuses he just says offer no resistance, turn the other cheek, give your coat,
go the extra mile and don’t turn your back! So I am still faced with my
imperfection, I am still face with how to act and live. I have no intelligent
answer, no sage wisdom of many years. All I can say is that it is perhaps good
to pause and listen to or read Jesus’ words in Matthew’s Gospel today knowing
that we are not perfect but also reminding ourselves that there is still much
to learn, much to do. Perhaps, Jesus’ words make sure that we see the world
around us and that we don’t close our eyes to it!
Have a great Monday afternoon everyone!
Daily Prayer: Loving God, we
thank you for wanting to enter our lives. Help us to let go of the things we
think are so important yet they always seem to stand in the way of your
presence in our lives. Grace us with the strength to open the door of our
hearts today, so that as we ask you to come in nothing will stand in the way of
our love for you. We want you to make our hearts your home, today and always.
Amen!
A Runner’s Thoughts: As you run today try to
make you run a God-centered run. In other words make your run a run in which
you honor God through the voices of nature. Let yourself experience all the
sounds of nature around you as you run; the wind, the trees, the leaves. Listen
to the sounds of water if you run near a creek, river or the ocean. Smell
the scents of nature around you. Remember in the Psalms, the rivers clapped and
the ocean roar in praise of God, so join in the chorus with your run. Look,
purposefully, for signs of God’s creation, offering praise. Become one among
the many voices of creation to give praise as you run today! (Adapted
from Roger Joslin)
Daily Blessing: Happy Monday afternoon
everyone! I hope you had a great weekend and enjoyed however you celebrated
Father’s Day. Things are quiet here in Pelham these days. We have two less
community members now with Fr. Robin and Fr. Enzo moving on the new ministries
so the house is often quiet with the comings and goings of busy people.
I will be headed out on the road for a
month beginning tomorrow as I make my way to the Midwest with Manitowoc, WI as
my final destination by next Saturday. So I am enjoying my quiet time at home
before busyness starts again.
We find ourselves moving toward the
first day of summer later this week and the weather certainly has begun to feel
like summer. I hope the weather by you is warm and sunny also.
I ask your prayers for my niece Sarah,
my nephew Dominick and their “Little One” on the way. Sarah got a stomach virus
yesterday and spent the night in the hospital. She will be released when she
can keep some food down otherwise all seems well, but it is not the kind of
thing you need to have happen a month before your first baby is due so some
prayers for the anxious parents and the little one are in order for today!
Thanks in advance for your prayers!
I pray this will be a good afternoon,
evening and week for you wherever you are and whatever you are and will be
doing. May you find some time to enjoy the gift of God’s creation and may
whatever challenges you face be solved quickly and in a positive way. Enjoy your
day and blessings to all! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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