Daily Thoughts: “If we are to
share our lives with others and generously give of ourselves, we also have to
realize that every person is worthy of our giving. Not for their physical
appearance, their abilities, their language, their way of thinking, or for any
satisfaction that we might receive, but rather because they are God’s
handiwork, his creation. God created that person in his image, and he or she
reflects something of God’s glory. Every human being is the object of God’s
infinite tenderness, and he himself is present in their lives. Jesus offered
his precious blood on the cross for that person.
Appearances notwithstanding, every
person is immensely holy and deserves our love. Consequently, if I can help at
least one person to have a better life, that already justifies the offering of
my life. It is a wonderful thing to be God’s faithful people. We achieve
fulfilment when we break down walls and our heart is filled with faces and
names!” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel)
These are wonderful words from Pope
Francis today. In a couple of my mission talks I touch on the very image that
Pope Francis touches on. I certainly do not do it is eloquent as Pope Francis
but I think I get the message across. We are all created in the image and
likeness of God that makes us unique, special and important. I love Pope
Francis’ last line above, “We achieve fulfilment when we break down the walls
and our heart is filled with faces and names.” If we are looking for intimacy
with God, if we are looking for God, the gift, the presence of God - God is all
around us!
Within our scriptures today there is the
thread of intimacy and relationship running through them. In the first reading
from Isaiah (Isaiah 49:8-15) we hear Advent like images of how God enters our
life and helps us to make the journey home. We hear how much God desires a
relationship with us and how far God is willing to go for that relationship.
There is the famous image in the reading about the child in the mother’s womb
and even if that mother were to forget about the child God will not forget
about the child and us.
In the Gospel (John 5:17-30) it is
John’s image of the relationship between the Father and the Son. Throughout
John’s entire Gospel we constantly hear about the intimate relationship that
Jesus has with the Father. If you see Jesus you are looking at the Father. The
two are inseparable, they work together. They know each other’s thoughts, words
and actions. We are invited to have this same kind of relationship with Jesus
and the Father.
Intimacy is something we all want,
something we all need but it is something many of us find difficult because of
what it demands of us. It demands commitment, time, energy and a willingness to
be truthful and honest. It demands a willingness to see the good in others and
to understand their struggles, their faults and failings. Intimacy means we are
willing to stand by the other even when it is not easy, even when it is not
popular.
Much talk time and print space has been
given to celibacy and chastity in recent years, some of it positive and much of
it negative. Being one who has tried to live this vow I know that the most
difficult part is intimacy and I am not just talking about physical intimacy. I
think we all have a great need, desire, longing for and deep connection with
another, a person to share our joys, fears, sadness, struggles, triumphs,
feelings and love. We want that soul friend who knows us, understands us,
values us, forgives us and loves us no matter what and yet whether celibate or
not this friend is hard to find.
Many of the great saints talk about
finding this relationship after a long struggle with God. I am not a great
saint so my struggle for intimacy goes on. It is a great need in everyone’s
life and sometimes it is a life-long search. For me there is always sadness
when I see this intimacy devalued or absent. When I see a mother or a father
forget their child, either through abuse, neglect or when their life become so
self-centered they don’t make the connection. I am also encouraged and hopeful
when I see the wonderful gift of intimacy at work in the lives of people, when
they don’t forget!
Throughout Lent we have been reminded
that living a life of faith demands looking beyond ourselves, it demands being
other oriented. Relationships and intimacy are the way we can keep ourselves
focus on others, focused on God. Let us live the journey of life today open to
the gifts that others can bring to our lives!
Have a blessed Wednesday everyone!
Daily Prayer: O God, you call
us to be in love with you just as you are in love with us. Give us the grace to
not be afraid of your gifts of love and mercy in our lives. Help us not to fear
your invitation to intimacy and may we never hesitate to share your love with
another. Grant us the strength to never forget the tenderness of your joyful
loving presence and to trust that you will bring us home. Amen!
A Runner’s Thoughts: The next time
you run, finish your run with a burst of speed no matter how far you have run.
As you run all out those last few steps imagine receiving a greeting from God.
God embraces you and holds you as you catch your breath. God offers a few good
words to welcomes you home.
Daily Blessing: Wednesday,
“Hump Day” greetings and blessings to everyone! I hope this week has been good
to you so far, if not there are still three plus days left for things to get
better.
We had two very good mission sessions
yesterday and today is the closing. The parish is also doing a Reconciliation
Service before the mission tonight so it is going to be a busy day with a
number of people coming to see me individually plus the mission service and
reconciliation. I will be heading home tonight as I have two busy days before
heading out Saturday morning for my next mission in New Hampshire. Please keep
the faith community here at Our Lady of Peace in your prayers today and if you
could add an extra prayer for their preacher it would be greatly appreciated!
My prayer of blessing today goes out to
everyone that you may encounter the love of God in some special way today;
through the gesture of another person, through an experience of life, through
an encounter with God within yourself. May God’s love enliven a well-spring of
joy within you that you can share with all you meet today. And may you find the
joy of God within you and share it with the world! May today be a day of many
blessings and a day without too much stress! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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