Daily Thoughts: “God so love the
world that he gave us his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might
not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16) “God who is rich in mercy,
because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our
transgressions, brought us to life with Christ – by grace you have been saved.”
(Ephesians 2:4) These two verses from our readings today seem to sum-up what we
are asked to consider in our journey of faith this Fourth Sunday of Lent.
Often when I get down, when I don’t
think things are going in the right direction, when life is all for naught, my
reflections and prayer seems to focus on John words today. “God so loved the
world….” God really does love the world. Just consider our readings today. We
hear the story of the Israelites in the Second Book of Chronicles. They turned
away from God. They decided to walk down their own path of destruction. They
thought that they knew better. They lusted after the power and importance of
the world around them and lost everything but God never abandoned them. And as
the story ends today they are freed from exile and their temple will be
rebuild. Yes, they paid a price for their unfaithfulness but God certainly is a
merciful God!
Paul makes sure the Ephesians know that
they are where they are b God’s grace and not their own actions and works. As
we say before receiving Communion, “We are not worthy….” It is by God’s grace
that we live and move and have our being. It is because of God’s mercy, grace,
compassion and love that we make this journey through life. It is because God
so loves us that we take a breath today and have every chance for eternal life.
Our challenge today and every day is to
have faith, to believe in God’s mercy, grace and love because it makes all the
difference!
Have a blessed Sunday evening everyone!
Daily Prayer: O God of
compassion and forgiveness, grace us with your gift of joy filled hope. Help us
to be your new creations proclaiming the Good News. As your envoys of faith may
we bring your healing and reconciliation to others just as Jesus brings healing
and reconciliation to us. Welcome us this evening into the light us with a
restful and peaceful night touched by your wondrous love! Amen!
A Runner’s Thoughts: Run in the
presence of God. In order to do this, as you run, simply imagine God is with
you constantly on the run. It does not matter how you image God. Just take
whatever image of God you have and allow that image to accompany you on your
run.
Daily Blessing: Sunday
greetings and blessings to all! I hope this finds you relaxing and enjoying the
middle or ending of your day depending on when you catch up with my musings. I
hope you don’t or didn’t forget to give God a little time today.
I began the mission here at Our Lady
Queen of Peace in Hainesport, NJ by
celebrating and preaching the 4:30 pm Saturday evening mass and today I celebrated
and preached the 7:30 am mass and then preacher the 9:00, 10:30 and noon masses.
The mission will begin tomorrow morning after the 9:00 am mass and in the
evening at 7:00 pm. Please keep the Our Lady Queen of Peace faith community and
their preacher in your prayers the next three days.
After the noon mass today the parish had
a St. Patrick’s celebration with all the fixings. It was a nice way to end a
long morning of preaching with a little corn beef, ham, potatoes, cabbage,
Irish music and of course a 50/50 raffle! Now I am settled in for a relaxing
evening and a little rest before beginning the mission tomorrow. My prayer of blessing today is a simple one.
My God bless us all with the ability to see with the eyes of faith as we
journey through this evening. May we see the joy of God’s presence in ourselves
and others and may we share that joy with all we meet this coming week and always!
Have a great Sunday evening everyone,
relax a little and enjoy wherever you are. Please know you are in my prayers
always especially during this holy time! Have a blessed and holy Sunday evening
filled with rest and peace! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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