Daily Thoughts: The verse from
the responsorial psalm seems to capture the essence of our readings today, “The
Lord is gracious and merciful.” In the Gospel, (Matt. 9:18-26), we witness
God’s graciousness and mercy through Jesus. It is a graciousness and mercy that
comes about because of the faith of two people, the official and the woman. Both
the official and the woman have unconditional faith, unrelenting faith. Even
though his daughter is dead the official still searches out Jesus. He knows
that even in death an encounter with Jesus can mean life. The woman who has
struggled with health issues for many years just wants to touch Jesus’ clothing
that simple action will make all the difference.
These two faith filled people teach us
the value, the gift of unconditional, unrelenting faith. They teach us that
when we place our trust in God wonderful things, sometimes even impossible
things happen, both encounter God’s graciousness and mercy!
Today we are challenged not pass up any
opportunity to encounter a place, a person, an experience that will help us to
know of God’s active presence in our life, to know God’s graciousness and mercy.
Let us be people of unconditional, unrelenting faith so that as we journey
through life there is always the possibility for wonderful if not impossible
things to happen.
Have a great Monday everyone and don’t
forget to make a joyful noise with your life today!
Daily Prayer: Loving God,
help us today and always to be open to the gift of your presence in our life.
Grant us the strength to be people who can place our trust in you. Help us to
see how active your presence is in our life and in the world around us. Give us
the willingness to spread the Good News of your love to all we meet. Amen!
A Runner’s Thoughts: As prayerful
runner we always seem to find it inadequate to sit and wait for the Spirit to
appear. As prayerful runners, we always want to run towards God but if we are
prayerful runner’s what we always find is that God is running toward us at
twice the speed! (Adapted from Roger Joslin – Running the Spiritual Path)
Daily Blessing: Well Happy
Monday everyone! I hope your Monday and your new work week has started off
well. That you feel refreshed and energized after a long enjoyable Fourth of July
weekend!
Yesterday I made a long journey through
Ohio and Pennsylvania into New Jersey where I now find myself. The drive was a
little over 500 miles and in certain places it was slow going because of
traffic. But I arrived safely in early evening just in time to have a nice
dinner with a friend. I will be here in Mount Holly, New Jersey at Sacred Heart
Parish until next Sunday filling in for the pastor who is taking a little
vacation time. I am happy to be here to spend some time with friends and to of
help out the parish and to get a little chance to experience the life of a
parish priest. I would ask you to keep the faith community of Sacred Heart
Parish in your prayers as they put up with me this week and offer a prayer for
me so that I can help them throughout the week to experience God’s graciousness
and mercy!
My prayer of blessing today is that you
day will be one with many blessings, many gifts and many encounters with love. I
pray that you will be blessed throughout this day with God’s graciousness,
mercy, joy, hope and love! Have a great day, a wonderful week, stay cool and
enjoy! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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