Daily Thoughts: “For it will
not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you”
(Matthew 10:20). There is great comfort in these words from the Gospel today
especially for someone like me, a preacher. However they are words that are
also demanding. They demand dependence not independence. They demand dependence
on God, a willingness to let go and let God.
Now before I go any further with my
reflection I would just like to say something about this phrase “let go and let
God.” I know I use it often and at times people have commented that they don’t
quite understand it. When I use the phrase “let go and let God” what I am
referring to is the human condition known as being in control. We all like to
be in control, to call the shots. We all like to have a sense that we have got
things covered, that we know best.
However, if we pay close attention to
Jesus in the Gospel we are reminded time and time again that it is about God
not about us. Jesus often asks the disciples to trust, to not depend on
themselves but the presence of God in their lives. It is not easy and the
disciples often fail. It is when they are able to let go of their way and trust
in God that they find themselves on the right path.
Letting go and letting God simple means
that life is not about “me” it is about God. It is about letting go of the
enticements of the world and letting God be present to us as we journey through
life.
This theme of trust, of letting go has
been an ongoing theme in our scriptures this week. We have been reminded of
God’s unrelenting, unconditional love for Israel through the stories from the
Book of Genesis. We have been told of the great power that the disciples have
been given in order to proclaim the Kingdom of God in the Gospel. And we have
been directed in many different ways through the responsorial psalm that our
focus in life should always be God.
Thomas Merton wrote, “You do not need to
know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you
need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present
moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.” Jesus remind us
today of exactly the same thing. It is through the courage of our friendship
with God that we will always be able to bring the Kingdom of God to each moment
of life.
So as we make our way through this day
let us have the courage to let go and let God because we trust in God’s
unrelenting love for us, a love that impels us to proclaim the Kingdom of God
because the Spirit of God speaks through us!
Have a great Friday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Gracious and holy God, give us wisdom to perceive you, intelligence to
understand you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold
you, a heart to meditate on you, and a life to proclaim you, through the power
of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen! (St. Benedict)
A Runner’s Thoughts: There is
something magical about running; after a certain distance, it transcends the
body. Then a bit further, it transcends the mind. A bit further yet, and what
you have before you, laid bare, is the soul.
(Kristin Armstrong) – So to in
the spiritual life…
Daily Blessing: Friday
greetings and blessings to everyone! I hope and pray everyone is having a good
day.
If you are traveling today please travel
safe. If you are working I hope it is a light and easy day for you. If you are
at home I hope you are enjoying a little peace and quiet or the gift of family.
If you are on vacation I hope it is a lazy day full of joy, fun and relaxation.
If you are worried about others may those worries be held in God’s
compassionate hands. If you are struggling with life may you find the strength
to keep going. If you are find faith difficult may you know that God loves you.
In other words I hope everyone is having a day richly blessed by God!
I would like to send a special prayer
out for members of my family and extended family who are or will be traveling
to a wedding in Philadelphia this weekend. Please travel safe and I pray the
wedding and celebration to follow will truly be blessed with love and the gift
of family gathered!
As for me I will be traveling south soon
to, not to Philadelphia but to Fairfax, VA to be the designated sitter this
weekend for my three grandnieces as their parents go to the wedding mentioned
above. I am hoping my grandniece will not mind begin with their great uncle for
an overnight and that I do a good job so their parents can enjoy a little time
away. I mean how hard can it be a great uncle and three lovely little ladies
for an overnight – ok, please offer a prayer that everyone survives especially
the three lovely little ladies!
May God bless the gift that you are
today wherever you share your gift; with whomever you share your gift. May you
be blessed with faith, hope, joy and love throughout this day and always! Peace
in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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