Daily Thoughts: Did you ever
take time to watch little children? Periodically, I get to spend time with two
of my grandnieces. Usually I am with them for a few days and often if it is not
a holiday with many others around I get a chance to spend some quality time
with them. When this happens they often involved me in their day to day lives
and I am able to sit back and just watch them. It amazed me how they often make
anything they have into a simple play toy, boxes, board games, a piece of
ribbon or string, anything seems to come to life.
When my niece Kristina, was about three
years old, she often played for hours on the floor by herself with board games,
like Risk, Trivial Pursue, and others. She had no real understanding of how
these games were placed but that didn’t matter. She was content to just sit
there moving pieces around, building things and imagining a whole different
world. There was a joy and contentment on her face as she enjoyed a moment of
life. I was often jealous of her freedom, her joy and her excitement. Both of
my nieces have the gift of allowing their imaginations to enliven their lives.
In reflecting on these experiences with
my nieces I could hear Jesus' words in the Gospel today. God truly does reveal
many things to children that we adults miss. Children seem to know the joy and
the love of God. Through their imaginations I truly believe they often see the
hidden gifts of God that we adults often miss. We can learn a lot from
children, if we let them be children and if we stop to watch and celebrate the
gift of their presence in our life.
Children also keep alive the hope that
Isaiah talks about in the first reading today. If we use our imaginations as
children do we will be able to see the wonderful life that Isaiah envisions,
where the wolf is the guest of the lamb and the leopard lies down with the kid
and the baby is at play right next to the cobra’s den and all is well. In other
words, if we are not afraid to use our imaginations we have a chance to
encounter the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, strength and
wonder and awe and we have a chance to live in a world were justice and peace
flourishes. We have a chance to make it this life God’s Holy Mountain!
Yes, I know it seem farfetched but
perhaps all it takes is a little imagination!
Have a great day everyone and may you
find peace, hope and joy throughout the day!
Daily Prayer: Loving God,
helps us today to embrace your Gospel with imagination seeing a world touched
by your presence and love. May we be your prophets, who by our words, our
works, our faith and our imagination keep alive your gift of hope within this
struggling world! Amen!
A Runner's Thought: Run today with
imagination so that each stride brings you closer the wonder of God's presence
in your life.
Daily Blessing: Happy Tuesday
everyone! I hope this finds you well and enjoying the beginning of a new day! I
begin the second day of the parish mission at here at St. Paul’s in Tampa. Our
opening evening was a wonderful experience, there was a great spirit at last
night service with over 400 people, I look for more of the same today! I will
be giving a reflection to the parish staff this morning. It is a change for
them to pause and renew also. Again, if you are in the area stop in and
celebrate with us, if not please offer a little prayer for the faith community
here at St. Paul as they begin their Advent by celebrating mission and for
their preacher who leads them! Also if you could say a special prayer of
healing for the pastor here, Fr. Bill. Thanks in advance for your prayers and
please know as always you are in mine.
My prayer of blessing today for all of
you is a simple one…May God look with favor upon all our prayers, needs,
petitions and activities today. May God be with us in the day’s trials . May we
always have the compassion, support, consolation, peace and love of God in our
lives. May God bless us all with his presence this day and always. Have a great
Tuesday...and along with Isaiah let us imagine a world of peace today! Peace in
Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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