Daily Thoughts: “Love seeks one
thing only: the good of the one loved. It leaves all the other secondary
effects to take care of themselves. Love, therefore, is its own reward.”
(Thomas Merton)
Perhaps this is what Jesus is getting at
as he answers the scholar of the law in today’s Gospel (Matt. 22: 34-40). Love
sits at the heart of any relationship, of any friendship and the first mark of
a good relationship, a good friendship is benevolence. Actively, seeking and
finding the good in another. In today’s Gospel Jesus reminds us that we are to
love God and love others and love ourselves. In order to do this we must find
the good in the ones we love, God, others and self. As Merton says if we can do
this the gift of love will be our reward!
Have a great rest of the day everyone
and a relaxing weekend and don’t forget to give God a little time!
Daily Prayer: Loving God, teach us to love as you love.
Help us to make our love unconditional, honest, and kind. Help us to ask
nothing in return and to let our love encompass the whole of humankind.
Loving God, let us offer our love
without speaking. Let it radiate as it shines forth from us. Let it be seen in
our faces, in our eyes, and let it be simple, sincere, and shame free.
Loving God, show us how to forgive as
you forgive and help us to not burden another with guilt. Help us to not play
the role of the martyr but to be a rock on which trust may be built.
Loving God, let our love for you and
others be greater by far than any love that is offered to us. Let our love be
always led by the Spirit, inspired of you our God and as forgiving and free as
Jesus’ love. Amen! (Adapted from a prayer
by Virginia (Ginny) Ellis)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “A runner's
creed: I will win; if I cannot win, I shall be second; if I cannot be second, I
shall be third; if I cannot place at all, I shall still do my best.” (Ken Doherty)
Daily Blessing: TGIF everyone! I
hope your Friday is starting off well and that you are looking forward to a fun
and relaxing weekend when your Friday work day comes to an end! It is another
beautiful day here in Long Beach after a night of rain. I hope it is a
beautiful day were you are too!
Today is a special day for me it is the
32nd Anniversary of my first vows with the Passionists. August 22, 1982 was a
very hot Sunday and Pittsburgh, but seven of us, along with Passionists, family
and friends, proclaimed of our desire to live the Passionist life keeping alive
the memory of Christ’s Passion through our lives, our ministry and our prayer.
Three of us remain from that hot August afternoon, Fr. Melvin Shorter, C.P.,
Fr. Chris Cleary, C.P. and yours truly. It is interesting to note that we were
the three oldest members of the class. I am not sure what that means, maturity,
intelligence, wisdom or we just had given up too much to turn back. Who knows!
I am thankful to my two classmates for an interesting 33+ years, for their
friendship, for their faithfulness, and for being there on the journey. I am
thankful to all of you for your love, support and prayers that have kept me
going!
On this day of celebration for me my
prayer of blessing for you is that God will bless you with his love today, just
like he blessed the Israelites long ago by breathing his Spirit into their
dried bones. May God bless you with his love, a love he offered the whole
through the gift of Mary whom we honor today in her Queenship. And may God
bless you with his love that challenges us to love God, love others and love
ourselves! May the rest of your Friday not be too busy and may you be blessed
with a restful, relaxing and fun filled weekend! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr.
Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment