Daily Thoughts: Our first reading
from the Acts of the Apostles offers us a nice reflection for our journey
through Easter and life. The Pharisee Gamaliel seems to be a man of wisdom as
he reflects on the challenge that the Sanhedrin seem to be confronted with –
are the Apostle for real? His solution is one that should be applied every time
we encounter this type of challenge. Only time give us the answer whether
something is of God or not.
It is not easy to sit and wait. It is
not easy to consider that someone or something might truly be of God especially
when it challenges what we believe or how we are living. Put yourself in the shoes of the Scribe and
Pharisees, in the shoes of the religious leadership of Jesus’ time. They had
studied, believe and learned to live by certain rules, regulations and beliefs
and now the Apostles and disciples of Jesus were challenging their vary way of
life. Change is not easy!
But Gamaliel says wait and see if it of
God it will last, if it is not it will fail. This is wise advice for living our
life of faith. It is not always easy or possible to follow but it is wisdom to
be considered as we navigate through the struggles and challenges of life.
In our Gospel today we hear the story of
Jesus feeding the 5,000. Jesus takes the five barley loaves and two fish and provides
as much bread and fish as people need to nourish themselves. This reading
reminds me of the wonderful gifts that God gives us as we journey through life.
Perhaps the lesson to learn from our Gospel today is that we should never under
estimate the value of the gifts that God provides to us. No matter how simple
or insignificant we think they might be anything is possible with God. Are will
willing to let go and let God work through what we have?
As we journey through this Easter
season, let us reflect on the people and experience we encounter and not judge
too quickly. Let’s give them time because we never know when someone or
something might just be about God. And
let’s not sell short the gifts that we have because if we are willing to place
them in Jesus’ hands great things can happen and many can be fed!
Have a blessed and holy Friday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Compassionate God;
take away from our hearts all suspiciousness, indignation, anger and contention
and whatever is determined to hurt kindness and lesson love. O God, have mercy,
on all who seek your mercy. Give grace to all in need of your grace today. Help
us to live this day in your love so that we may be found worthy to enjoy the fulfillment
of your grace and attain your gift of eternal life. Amen. (Adapted from a
prayer by Thomas À Kempis)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “Fear of trying
causes paralysis. Trying causes only trembling and sweating.” (Mason Cooley)
and “Let him [or her] that would move the world first move himself [or
herself}.” (Socrates)
Daily Blessing: Friday
greetings and blessings to all! I hope this finds you enjoying your Friday or
at least making your way through it is a life giving way. I am in the midst of
getting things done so that I can head back out on the road tomorrow as I will
head to Enola, PA and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish where I will celebrate a
mission beginning tomorrow. I would ask your prayers for the faith community at
Our Lady of Lourdes and for their preacher.
It seems to be a gray and cloudy day
here in Pelham with the possibility of rain but the temperature is mild and the
flowers are beginning to bloom so all in all it is not a bad day. I hope the
same is true wherever you are.
I pray for all of you today that you
will once again be touch by the joy of this Easter Season. May you be gifted
today with many life giving experiences, with many encounters of God through
the people you meet, with safe travels if you are traveling and with much joy
and peace as you journey through this day! God's blessings to all today! Peace
in Christ's Passion and the Joy of the Risen Lord...Fr. Paul
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