Daily Thoughts: At times when I
face the scriptures for a particular day I want to just close the book and tell
the community gathered, “Let’s all just sit quietly and listen to what God is
saying to us today.” Well, I had that feeling early this morning when I looked
at the readings for today (2Kings 22: 8-13; 23: 1-3 and Matthew 7: 15-20). The
theme whether we are looking at the first reading or the Gospel seems to be laws,
rules, regulation. I have to admit these are not my favorite topics for
conversation or preaching. I know that they are important. I know that laws,
rules and regulations are necessary. Yet, maybe the focus of today’s readings is
not just about the dos and don’ts of life, the rights and wrongs. Perhaps the
challenge of our readings today can be found in these words by Thomas Merton:
“To be grateful is to recognize the Love
of God in everything. He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a
gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it
immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never
unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the
goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay
but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.”
If we recognize the Love of God in
ourselves and in others we produce good fruit! Have a great Wednesday everyone
and don’t forget to make a joyful noise with your life today!
Daily Prayer:
O God, we thank you for the gift of this
day.
Give us the energy we need to face our
work; with the attentiveness we need to do it well.
Give us the self-discipline we need to
finish it even if no one sees and no one praises us.
Give us the self-respect which will
inspire us not to produce anything which is less than our best.
Give us the courtesy and the
considerateness which will make us easy to live and work with.
Help us to live today so that we will
make the world a happier more hopeful place wherever we go. Amen! (Adapted from a prayer by William Barclay)
A Runner’s Thoughts: A smile as we
run can help us remain focused, it often causes others to smile back which can
be uplifting and perhaps most importantly it can remind us that that we have
been graced by God. So as when we had out for our next run let’s put a smile on
our face!
Another
thought
– “To be a consistent winner means preparing not just one day, one month or
even one year - but for a lifetime.” (Bill Rodgers) I know Bill Rodgers is
talking about running, racing, but I also think you can apply what he says to faith.
Faith is a lifetime of preparation, work and investment. We need to be about faith,
our relationship with God each and every day!
Daily Blessing: “Hump Day”
blessings and greetings to all! I hope this midpoint of the week will be kind
to you. Our retreat here at Holy Family Convent the motherhouse of the
Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity is going well. The sisters have all
settled into the routine of retreat and I as preacher am constantly trying to
stay one step ahead of them. Please keep the sisters in your prayers and if you
have the time offer a prayer for the preacher too!
My prayer of blessing for all of you today
is that you will have a great day wherever you are and in whatever you will be
doing! May this day be one filled with blessings, hope, peace, laughter and sun!
Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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