Daily Thoughts: “Run the risk
of a face-to-face encounter with others…” These words of Pope Francis echo our
scriptures today. True faith is not based on extraordinary signs and wonders.
True faith is grounded in the ordinary signs and wonder that we encounter every
day. True faith is based in relationships, in experience, in our connections
with others that allow God to be present in our life!
Jesus words in the Gospel (John 4:43-54)
today are as true for us as they were for the people of Jesus’ time, “Unless
you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” We are always looking
for signs and wonders. If I pray to the Blessed Mother and my prayer is
answered I will believe. If I pray to St. Jude and my prayer is answered I will
be believe. If my friend, my family member is cured of cancer I will believe.
If the Blessed Mother, one of the saints, if God would just appear to me and
tell me what to do I would believe.
We are always chasing miracles,
apparitions something extraordinary and if we can just find one, experience
one, we will believe. Or will we? There were many people during Jesus’ time who
saw him heal or raise someone from the dead and did not believe or only believed
for a short time. Take his disciples as an example, all of the things they saw,
all of the experiences they had with Jesus and yet they still ran away. They
still betrayed him. They still denied him. Belief is not easy and signs and
wonders are not the cure. Living and believing every day requires work. Putting
time into our relationship with God, prayer, good works, care and attention to
others, especially those in need are what will make faith, belief possible.
There are signs and wonders going on
around us every day. The sun rises and sets. People do good things for others.
God is present in nature, people and us. We just have to stop and take notice.
We have to be willing to stop and look at the ordinary things around us because
they will make the extraordinary possible.
God desires nothing but happiness for
our lives as we hear in the words of Isaiah (Isaiah 65:17-21) today. The only
thing that gets in God’s way is us! There was a commercial a while back, I think
for an insurance or investment company and it opened with a person doing
something kind for another person. Someone saw the gesture and did something
nice or kind for another person. The commercial continued with one act of
kindness after another until it came full circle back to the original person
and the original act of kindness. Signs and wonders are going on around us
every day all we have to do is stop and take notice. If we do – faith, belief
in God will be much easier!
Have a blessed Monday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Loving God, be
always with us in times of stress and struggle. Help us to know that you are
close even when we cannot feel your presence. Grace us with wisdom to always know
that you are there helping us and watching over us. As St. Paul says, “nothing
in heaven and on earth can separate us from your love.” Help us to believe and
live St. Paul’s words. Enliven our hearts with faith and hope in your joy
filled love today and always! Amen!
A Runner’s Thoughts: Before your
next run pause for a moment take a deep breath and ask God to run with you.
When you finish your run, take a moment to reflect on the sense of God’s
presence that you felt as you ran. Try to carry this presence with you as you
go through the rest of your day.
Daily Blessing: Monday greetings
and blessings to all! I hope everyone had a nice weekend and that you got a
little rest and relaxation. I hope you are looking forward to a good week. If
not you are in my prayers! My weekend of preaching went well here in Hainesport
and I am looking forward to our first day of mission. I think it will be a very
interesting and faith filled mission. The people here are enthusiastic and
seeking the Word of God. Again I ask for your prayers for the faith community
here at Our Lady Queen of Peace and their preacher.
I continue to ask for your prayers for
the young college student I mentioned last week. We cannot give up on our youth
and the stresses and strains of our world can be overwhelming at time. Let us
pray for him and all young people to find the light of Christ that will led
them on their journey. Let us keep all
young adults in our prayers today.
My prayer of blessing today is that your
week, your Monday will start off well and that today will be rich in the
presence of God. May God bless you in all that you will do today. May today be
blessed with many wonderful people who help you to find the presence of God in
your day, in your work, in your journeys and in the people who are most
important in your life. May God bless you with the gift of joy today and
always.
May everyone have a great Monday with
blessings upon all you do and upon everyone you meet! Peace in Christ’s
Passion…Fr. Paul
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