Daily Thoughts: Today we
celebrate the feast of The Most Holy Name of Jesus and our scriptures,
especially our Gospel, once again focus us on our relationship with Jesus. What
might we take always from the celebration of this feast and our scriptures
today?
For me the focus today is on the Name of
Jesus. I have always found a name to be important. I am very proud to be named
after my father and I think one of my sadness's of life is that I never had the
chance to continue the tradition and name a son, Paul Raymond. I also struggle
with names, especially remembering the names of people that I have met. I am in
awe of people who can and do remember names. Names identify people, names honor
people, names define people and place people in the context of history and
life.
I have always wondered why over the
centuries Jesus' name became such a focal point of disrespect. Often when I
lead young people in an examination of conscience before the Sacrament of
Reconciliation I will talk about how our words often hurt. I ask those present
this, "How would we like it if every time something went wrong, every time
someone got angry, every time someone expressed anger, they would use our
name?" The answer is always a universal, "I would not like it at all!"
Yet, isn't that what we do with Jesus, with God? Why is that? What causes us to
say "God dammit!" or "Jesus Christ!" with anger and
disrespect?
As I said yesterday if we know ourselves
we have a better chance of knowing God. If we respect ourselves we have a much
better chance of respecting God and others! I am sure all of us value our name.
It is important to us to be respected for who we are. It is important for us to
be known by our name. It is important for our name not to be disrespected.
Likewise it is important for God, for Jesus to be respected too! As we live
this day let's make a conscious effort to honor, respect and cherish The Name
of Jesus! When we use it let us use it to grace life with hope and love – not
fill it with anger!
Every morning and evening I begin prayer
in the Passionist tradition by praying, "At the name of Jesus every knee
must bend in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, the Father." It keeps me focused;
perhaps it can for you too!
Have a great Saturday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Eternal God, we
pray this day that at the name of your loving Son Jesus every knee must bend in
heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord to the glory of you our God, and Father. Help us always to honor your
names and in speaking them bring your grace, hope, love and not anger to our
world! In the name of Jesus we continue to pray for families in grief; for
little ones whose lives were too short; for teachers, administrators and responders
who put others first; for a community that must find a way to live; for all of
us who seek a world of lasting peace! That one day we will all be called God's
children...Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: If you run in
the cold today think of it as not an obstacle but as an energy, a grace
enlivening you and sending you forward!
Daily Blessing: Saturday
blessings to all! The clouds are beginning to roll in and the rain will be
arriving sometime soon. It seems these will be the last few days of moderate
temperatures and then the cold will descend on us so regardless of the rain we
should enjoy the warmth.
I will be heading into Manhattan again
this afternoon for the 5 pm Saturday evening mass at St. Malachy’s. If you are
in the area come and join us as we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany! I will
also be celebrating the 10 am mass at St. John and St. Mary’s Parish in
Chappaqua tomorrow.
Many blessings on this first Saturday of
the New Year and may you find God in all that you encounter today. As my prayer
of blessing today I am going to adapt an old Irish Blessing. May God bless all
of us today and always – May the deep peace of the running wave be with us. May the deep peace of the cold and flowing
air be with us. May the deep peace of
the quiet earth be with us. May the deep
peace of the bright snow be with us. May the deep peace of the warming sun be
with us. May the deep peace of the shining stars be with us. And may the deep peace of the Son of Peace be
with us. Have a great Saturday and weekend everyone! Peace in Christ’s
Passion…Fr. Paul
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