Daily Thoughts: Two thoughts
come to mind this morning concerning our readings today. The first is that I
think all of us have been in Jacob’s (Gen. 28:10-22a) sandals at one time or
another. Jacob is on a journey, he is in search of a wife. He stops for the
evening to rest and encounters a special place. He encounters a place of
connection with God that enables him to know of God’s presence and action in
his life. He encounters a bridge with God between heaven and earth.
We have all been to or in a place that
after sometime there we feel very connected to God. It is a place where we
sense something special. It might be a favorite spot at the beach or a setting
in the midst of the mountains. It might be our favorite church or chapel. It
might be a room in building or even our own home. It might be some breath
taking view that we have encountered. In other words all of us have places in
our life that when we are there God seem close, a place where God seems easier
to connect with, a place where it seems easier to experience God’s presence, a
place like Jacob’s place where we encounter the active presence of God bridging
the gap between heaven and earth.
My other thought this morning comes from
the Gospel (Matt. 9:18-26). In the first reading Jacob’s response at least at
first is conditional. Jacob is willing believe, he is willing to have faith, if
God does a number of things for him on his journey. We find a different kind of
faith in the Gospel. Both the official and the woman have unconditional faith,
no strings attached. Even though his daughter is dead the official still
searches out Jesus. He knows that even in death an encounter with Jesus can
mean life. The woman who has struggled with health issues for many years just
wants to touch Jesus’ clothing that simple action will make all the difference.
These two faith filled people teach us
the value, the gift of unconditional faith. They teach us that when we place
our trust in God wonderful things, sometimes even impossible things happen!
Today let us not pass up any opportunity
to encounter a place, a person, an experience that will help us to know of
God’s active presence in our life. Let us be people of unconditional faith so
that as we journey through life there is always the possibility for wonderful
if not impossible things to happen.
Have a great Monday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Loving God,
help us today and always to be open to the gift of your presence in our life.
Grant us the strength to be people who can place our trust in you. Help us to
see how active your presence is in our life and in the world around us. Give us
the willingness to spread the Good News of your love to all we meet. Amen!
A Runner’s Thoughts: As prayerful
runner we always seem to find it inadequate to sit and wait for the Spirit to
appear. As prayerful runners, we always want to run towards God but if we are
prayerful runner’s what we always find is that God is running toward us at
twice the speed! (Adapted from Roger Joslin – Running the Spiritual Path)
Daily Blessing: Monday greetings
and blessings to everyone! I hope your Monday and your new work week has
started off well. That you feel refreshed and energized after a long enjoyable
Fourth of July weekend!
Yesterday I made a long journey through a
little section of Ohio, then all of Pennsylvania and across northern New Jersey
to finally get home around 3:30 pm in the afternoon. The drive was a little
over 400 miles and in certain places it was slow going because of traffic. But
I arrived safely and settled back into my humble abode here in Pelham after
three plus weeks on the road. It feels good to be home but my stay will be a
short one as I will be heading out once again on Friday. But I am going to
enjoy these few days at home!
I pray this morning that you day will be
one with many blessings, many gifts and many encounters with love. I pray that
you will be blessed throughout this day with God’s graciousness, mercy, joy,
hope and love! Have a great day, a wonderful week, stay cool and enjoy! Peace
in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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