Daily Thoughts: “There was no
needy person among them…” What a wonderful thought to begin the day with from
our first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles. The reading paints a hope
filled picture of life in the early Church. “The community of believers was of
one heart and mind, and no one would claim any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common.”
However, I fear that if someone would
speak this way today or paint a picture of a faith community like that today
the political pundits and the 24 hour news program would immediately label that
person and community socialist as they have tried to do with Pope Francis as he
talks about our responsibility as Christian to care for all in need. We somehow
have it in our mind that everyone has to make it themselves. Sure if there is a
disaster people can be helped but we first have to learn to stand on our own
two feet. It is not socialist to care for all it is Christian!
I truly believe that the spirit and
presence of Pope Francis is a wonderful model of the early Christian community
that we encounter today in the Acts of the Apostles. He connects us to the spirit of the early
Church when the desire was to care for all. Pope Francis’ genuineness is that he doesn’t
care what others think he is only concerned with those in need. He doesn’t care
what it cost; he has hope in the presence of God and the community to make it
work. He is not looking for riches and power, his reward is the community and
each person in it. Pope Francis is a wonderful witness of unselfishness.
Perhaps in the spirit of today first
reading our challenge is to make our present day Christian communities places
where we are open to the grace of God and its transforming power so that we
become communities who care and take care about all amongst us!
Have a blessed Tuesday everyone!
Daily Prayer:
Spirit of Christ, bless me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, enliven me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds, hide me.
Never let me be separated from you.
From the evil foe, defend me.
At the hour of death, call me; and welcome
into your Kingdom.
That with your saints I may praise you
forever and ever. Amen.
(Adapted
from the prayer Anima Christi)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “When we run,
we are already so exposed, often nearly naked in our shorts and T-shirts,
huffing and puffing, purified by the effort. Briefly removed from the defenses
and secrets we maintain in so much of our lives, we feel less need to hide our
private thoughts, loves, fears, and stresses. We share.” (Amby Burfoot) – What a beautiful thought for a way to live life!
Daily Blessing: Tuesday
greetings and blessings to all! I hope your Tuesday has started off well. Our
mission here at St. Anthony’s in Oceanside, NY started off very well yesterday
we had a nice crowd at noon and again in the evening. There is a wonderful
spirit here and I am looking forward to day two. There always seems to be a
nice spirit during Easter missions perhaps it is the fact that spring has
arrive, the sun is our, the temperature are warmer and people are more hope
filled!
As I did yesterday, I would once again ask
your prayers for a young man who is a junior in college and who is struggling
with the pressures of life right now. He is an intelligent, faith filled young
man but he is struggling. So please hold him in your prayers that he might be
able with God’s grace to work through this struggling time in his life!
My prayer of blessing today is that God
will bless us all with the energy, the spirit and the enthusiasm to continue with
hope this journey of Easter and life. That God will bless us with a joy for
life, for other people and for ourselves. And that whatever we do, wherever we
go, whomever we meet will be touched by the joy that we bring! Have a great Tuesday
everyone and may your day be blessed with the warmth of the sun but if you find
a few drops of rain coming down when you walk out the door may it be soft
gentle rain that lovingly softens the earth and you! Peace in Christ’s Passion
and the Risen Lord...Fr. Paul
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