Daily Thoughts: I have decided
I am glad that cell phones, computers and social media came along long after I
was out of college and at a time when I hope I am wiser in how I respond to
things that happen around me. Often when I am reading through Twitter, Facebook
or the comments people post after an article that I have read online I want to
respond to something someone has said. Most of the time I do not want to
respond with a positive comment, I want judge, condemn make fun of or show the
person the error of their ways. I want to be negative. It is very easy to do
after all it is just words and there is no way other than words for the person
to respond. I do not have to look at them or be in the same room with them. I
can just hide behind my computer, IPad, or cell phone. No risk involved and
certainly no responsibility.
If I had these opportunities in high
school, college or my early years as a young adult I am pretty sure my
self-control would not have been as good as it is today. I would have thrown my
opinion into the cyber mix often with no thought of who it might hurt or of the
consequences that my words, my criticism, my negativity might have on others
and myself.
In the Gospel today Jesus reminds us to
be people who don't judge, who don't condemn. We are asked to be people of
mercy and forgiveness. People who somehow find the good in others and work as
letting that goodness shine.
It is very easy to have a knee jerk
reaction to something someone says especially if it is not along the lines of
the things we believe or value. It is very easy to be critical especially when
we do not walk in the shoes of the person we are criticizing. It is very easy
to point the finger of blame. It is very easy to condemn, to judge and to be
self-righteous, especially when we have nothing to lose because we are sitting
behind a computer not in front of the person we have just judged, just
condemned by our words.
Throughout this season of Lent we look
for forgiveness for our sinfulness, we fast, we pray, we give up things, we do
good works all in the hope that God will be merciful and forgiving. In the
living of Lent we hope for a life, for a world that is more positive, peaceful
and God centered. Today Jesus asks us not to be passive disciples who sit and
listen, but active workers for the Kingdom. We can start by living our lives as
merciful, forgiving loving people. People, who do not judge, do not condemn, do
not tear down with our words but people who build up. People who help to build
the peaceable Kingdom of God!
Have a blessed day everyone!
Daily Prayer: Great and
awesome God, bless us today with the gifts of your mercy and forgiveness not
just for our own lives but that these gifts will be alive within us. Help us to
be your disciples who bring a positive attitude and voice to the world today.
Grace us with the wisdom to find the goodness in ourselves and the people we
encounter. Guide us so that we do not respond to a negative with a negative.
Make us workers who help to build your peaceable Kingdom as we live our life
today! Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: Let us look at
our run today and every day as a tool, a device or a practice that aids us in
our quest to be people of prayer.
Daily Blessing: Monday greetings
and blessings to everyone! I know that is not always the case, often we don't
want the weekend to end and Mondays to arrive. We don't like how we feel when
we get up on Monday mornings having to face a new week, but Happy Monday
anyway! I hope you will all have a good week rich in many positive experiences
and encounters with positive people.
I made it through Sunday with five faith
filled celebrations of mass that were alive and life giving. Then I had a two
and a half hour white knuckle ride home through the snow and ice. Things seem
to be clear this morning and I will head out about 10:30 am so that I am ready
for my 12 noon opening of the mission. Again, I ask your prayers for the faith
community at St. John the Evangelist and for their preacher. May this be a good
three days for them and me!
My prayer of blessing today is that you
will have a great day, with many blessings as you begin a new work week. May it
be one that runs smoothly and peacefully with many graced moments! May we all
be blessed with the strength of God to guide us, the power of God to uphold us,
the wisdom of God to enlighten us. Many blessings today where ever you are and
upon whatever you are or will be doing. Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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