Daily Thoughts: I have always
felt that Thomas has gotten a bad rap. If we look at the Gospel stories especial
those around the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus it seems that
everyone doubts and everyone needs to see, taste, touch, hear or smell Jesus
before they believe!
Perhaps John includes this little story
about Thomas just to remind us that everyone doubts and everyone need the
sacramental experience of Jesus to keep us going on the right path. In
celebrating Thomas today we are reminded that there is no cheap grace. Faith is
a struggle, with doubt around every corner, with reason to wonder and question
often making an appearance. We only prevail; we only remain faithful because of
grace, grace that was born out of the passion, death and resurrection of
Christ. It is not cheap grace but grace grounded in the marks of struggle and
love.
I have a favorite quote by Fr. Pierre
Teilhard de Chardin, SJ that I visit often; “Someday, after mastering the
winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies
of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, man will have
discovered fire.” Perhaps our story of
Thomas today reminds us of what we all want to discover and when we touch,
taste, smell, see or hear it we too can say, “My Lord and my God!”
Today let us by the grace of God not be
unbelieving but believing! Have a great Thursday everyone and don’t forget to
make a joyful noise with your life today!
Note Today's Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070314.cfm
Daily Prayer: Breathe in us,
O Holy Spirit, that our thoughts may all be holy. Act is us, O Holy Spirit,
that our works, too may be holy. Move our hearts, O Holy Spirit, so that we
love only what is holy, Strengthen us, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is
holy. Guard us, O Holy Spirit, that we always may be holy. Amen! (Adapted from
a prayer by St. Augustine of Hippo)
A Runner’s Thoughts: Today accept
your run for what it is, remembering that this is a spiritual practice that,
like any discipline, requires persistence through experiences of success and
seeming failure. (Adapted from Roger Joslin – Running the Spiritual Path)
Daily Blessing: Happy Thursday everyone
and blessing to all! I am a little slow in getting my musings out today because
the wireless was down here for about twelve hours or so. But we are up and
running again!
In many ways we can say today is the
close of the work week as we will celebrate the 4th of July tomorrow. So we
thank God for the blessings of a short work week and we look forward to the
blessings of a time of celebration tomorrow. Perhaps some of you are off for
the week or maybe are taking an extra day off this week because of the holiday.
However your week is shaking out I hope it is a good one.
A special shout out today to Mary
O'Donoghue on her birthday, “Happy Birthday Mary,” many blessings today and
always! Have a great day.
Have a great day today with many
blessings in whatever you will be doing, working, relaxing, having fun or even
traveling. I pray that God will be with you throughout your day today and bless
you with the richness of his presence and love. If you have to travel this week
please do so safely! Blessings today and always and may these days be filled
with family, friends and fun! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment