Daily Thoughts: We begin this
day with the words of St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans, “if God is for us who
can be against us?” A good thought to begin our day wouldn’t you say?
In our Gospel Peter, James and John are
given the opportunity to see and hear Jesus differently, not just through the
eyes and ears of the world but also through the eyes and ears of faith. What
they see and hear is terrifying, awesome and wonderful.
Abraham is asked to see and hear his
life differently, not just through the eyes and ears of the world but also
through the eyes and ears of faith. For Abraham what he sees and hears is
terrifying, awesome and incomprehensible. Abraham is asked by God to sacrifice
his son, Isaac. This seems to go against everything God has promised Abraham.
It seems to go against everything that God is. It is a request that had to be
overwhelming and terrifying for Abraham but one that called on the faithfulness
of his relationship with God. It would be Abraham's faith that spared Isaac’s
life sending him and his family on the journey of a lifetime.
For Peter, James and John things are a
little different. They are gifted with God's presence it is a presence that too
is overwhelming and terrifying. They encounter the breath of God's covenant and
the essence of Jesus divine nature. They want to hang on to both but quickly
learn that they cannot. It is an encounter to be remembered, an encounter that
they can take with them as they return to the life they live. It becomes for
them an encounter of hope. Even though they must return to their everyday life,
to the struggles, difficulties, the challenges, even though they must go back
down the mountain and continue their journey to the next mountain, Calvary,
they have this memory that will keep alive the hope they need no matter what
they encounter. This encounter with God and their faith will take them on the
journey of a lifetime!
And so it is for us as we continue this
journey of Lent, this journey of life. We too have an encounter with the
presence of God. It perhaps doesn't seem as terrifying or as awesome as
Abraham's or Peter, James and John's. It sometimes is quickly forgotten but if
we have faith it is the very hope that will help us continue this journey with
all its struggles, with all it difficulties, with all its challenges. Our
encounter with God is the Eucharist. It is our covenant, it is our mountain
top, it is our moment to see and hear God not through the eyes and ears of the
world, but through the eyes and ears of faith! It is our moment to once again
begin a journey of a life time!
Have a blessed Sunday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Loving God, you
invite us to listen to and walk with your beloved Son, Jesus. Nourish us today
with his Word and Eucharist that we might have the spiritual sight and hearing
that only a life of faith can bring. Help us to rejoice in the hope of your
presence in our life. Grace us with your love that we may always hear your
voice and see your face and live with you as our light and salvation. Bless us
with a faith that always keeps us amazed and open to your loving presence.
Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: Sometimes we
think of Sunday as a day of rest, yet we want to run. Perhaps we need to think
of our running today and every Sunday as a time of rest, as a time of prayer,
as a time that will renew, strengthen and enliven us for the new week ahead!
Daily Blessing: Early Sunday
greetings and blessings to all and welcome to March! It is an early Sunday morning for me. I was up
at 5 am and in about 25 minutes I will leave for St. John the Evangelist Parish
as I have 5 masses to preach today beginning at 7:30 am. It takes me about 50
minutes to get there so I will be on the road early. It is a long commute but
not a difficult one.
I hope today will be truly be a day of
rest for you, though I know many of you have busy lives and today might include
some busyness. If so I hope you find at least a little time of rest during the
day!
I opened my journey of mission at St.
John the Evangelist Parish yesterday evening by preaching two masses and as I
said above I have five today at which I will continue my invitation to join me
on mission this week. I ask your continued prayers for the faith community at St.
John the Evangelist and their preacher that we might be gifted with a journey
to the mountain top these next few days as we celebrate a time of mission.
Blessings go out to everyone today. I
pray that we all have a restful and peaceful day that will nourishes and
refreshes you for the journey of a new week and whatever it brings to our life!
I hope you find a little time for God today and when you do may you be blessed
with the richness of God’s presence, grace and everlasting love. Remember as
St. Paul says in his Letter to the Romans today, “”If God is for us, who can be
against us.” What a wonderful thought to begin a new day! Peace in Christ's
Passion...Fr. Paul
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