Daily Thoughts: As we begin
this most Holy of Weeks our readings (Isaiah 42:1-7 and John 12: 1-11) remind
us of the good of this week and the bad. We are reminded of the compassion and
love of Jesus. We are reminded of the caring and friendship of Martha, Mary and
Lazarus. We are reminded of the impact that Jesus had on peoples' lives. We are
reminded how Judas lost his focus and turned away from Jesus.
These early days of Holy Week set the
scene, the characters and the focus for the Triduum. They give us the
background of the story that will lead us to Calvary and the empty tomb. They
remind us of how easy it is to get lost in the trappings of the world. They
remind us how easy it is be distracted by the things of the world and to not
recognize the presence of God. They remind us of how hard it is to be faithful
people.
The scene today also reminds of the fact
the Jesus is willing to accept extravagance when it is done in love. Jesus
appreciates the extravagance of Mary's true love because Jesus and the Father
are always about offering true love, the true love of the Cross which we will
celebrate later this week.
What extravagant gesture of love can we
offer someone this week? How can we make God's presence known and felt in our
world this week? Remember God never turns away from a humble and contrite
heart. Let us not be like Judas, someone who cannot grasp the love and support
of God, rather let us be like Martha, Mary and Lazarus people who are friends
of God!
Have a blessed Monday of Holy Week everyone!
Daily Prayer: Loving God,
help us to enter more deeply into this journey of Holy Week. May we always have
the faith of true friendship with you. May our actions express this friendship
and thus make your presence known to all that we meet. Touch us with your
extravagant love so in our moments of doubt and struggle we will not turn way,
but turn towards you trusting in your compassionate love. Give us hearts which
are humble and open to forgiveness. Give us spirits alive with your joy and
love. Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: As we run during
this Holy Week let us remember that each run can help us embark on a pilgrimage
of the ordinary which often leads us to the extraordinary and sacred!
Daily Blessing: Monday of Holy
Week greetings and blessings to everyone! I hope your week is starting of well.
We had a great crowd gathered last night at the 6 pm Mass at St. Francis de
Sales. It was really a nice way to bring an end to Palm Sunday and enter this
most Holy of Weeks!
I hope you had a great weekend and found
some time for God by entering into the celebration of Palm Sunday! I will be
praying that God will bless your Holy Week and fill it with many graces. May
the God of Abraham and Sarah, the God of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, the God of
Peter, James and John, the God of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and
Joseph bless and be with all of us as we make this journey of Passover and Holy
Week.
My prayers are with all of you today and
throughout this week. Please give sometime to God this week, even if your week
is a busy one. Attend one of the Triduum services, make a visit to a Church on
Holy Thursday evening, take the afternoon off on Good Friday, just try to
connect with God in some special way this week. You will not regret it! Peace
in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment