Daily Thoughts: I have always
felt that over the centuries, St. Thomas the Apostle has gotten a bad rap. If
we look at the Gospel stories especially those situated around the Passion,
Death and Resurrection of Jesus it seems that everyone doubts and everyone
needs to see, taste, touch, hear or smell Jesus before they believe!
Perhaps St. John includes this little
story about Thomas just to remind us that everyone doubts and everyone need the
sacramental experience of Jesus to keep us going on the right path. In
celebrating St. Thomas today we are reminded that there is no cheap grace.
Faith is a struggle, doubt is around every corner, with reason to wonder and
question often making an appearance. We only prevail; we only remain faithful
because of grace, grace that was born out of the Passion, Death and
Resurrection of Christ. It is not cheap grace but grace grounded in the marks
of struggle and love.
I have a favorite quote by Fr. Pierre
Teilhard de Chardin, SJ that I visit often; “Someday, after mastering the
winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies
of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, [humankind]
will have discovered fire.” Perhaps our
story of Thomas today reminds us of what we all want to discover and when we
touch, taste, smell, see or hear it we too can say, “My Lord and my God!”
Today let us not be unbelieving but by
the grace of God let us believe! Have a great Friday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Breathe in us,
O Holy Spirit, that our thoughts may all be holy. Act is us, O Holy Spirit,
that our works too may be holy. Move our hearts, O Holy Spirit, so that we love
only what is holy; Strengthen us, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard us, O Holy Spirit, that we always may be holy. Amen! (Adapted from a prayer by St. Augustine of Hippo)
A Runner’s Thoughts: Today accept
your run for what it is, remembering that this is a spiritual practice that,
like any discipline, requires persistence through experiences of success and
seeming failure. (Adapted from Roger
Joslin – Running the Spiritual Path)
Daily Blessing: Happy Friday
everyone and blessing to all! While this is only the 3rd of July I
am sure many of you are off because this is the legal day off for the 4th
being that it lands on a Saturday so happy early 4th of July to
everyone. We thank God for the blessings of a short work week and for this time
of rest, relaxation and celebration. Perhaps some of you have been are off for
the week or maybe you taking an extra day or two around this holiday weekend however
your week and weekend is shaking out I hope it is a good one.
It is a beautiful morning here in
Manitowoc. The air was cool and fresh as I was about my morning run. The sun
was up early and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. I hope your day has started
off beautiful too!
Even though many of you are off I am
still at work. This is the last full day of retreat for the sisters however our
schedule will be a little different today because of the funeral of the sister
who died three nights ago. We will have our morning conference and then the
funeral mass. The afternoon and evening will be as usual so once again I would
ask your prayers for the sisters on retreat and for their preacher. I will be
finishing up tomorrow morning and then I will begin the journey back east. So
rather than celebrating on the 4th I will be traveling!
A special shout out today to Mary
O'Donoghue on her birthday, “Happy Birthday Mary,” many blessings today and
always! Have a great day sorry I will be missing your party.
Have a great day today with many
blessings in whatever you will be doing, working, relaxing, having fun or even
traveling. I pray that God will be with you throughout your day today and bless
you with the richness of his presence and love. If you have to travel this weekend
please do so safely! Blessings today and always and may this holiday weekend be
filled with family, friends and fun! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment