Daily Thoughts: “A skilled
listener can help people tap into their own wisdom.”
(Fr.
Richard Rohr, OFM)
We might apply this thought to our Gospel reading today. The focus in (Matthew 13: 10-17) seems to on the
difference between hearing and listening.
We all hear unless we have some physical
impediment to hearing but often we fail to listen. I believe that is what Jesus
is getting at in the Gospel. People hear his parables but they don’t listen to
them. They don’t take them to prayer. They don’t reflect on them and thus they
miss the point of them. We can always hear things as Isaiah is quoted in the
Gospel but unless we listen we will not understand.
Jesus is teaching his disciples to
listen. Jesus is teaching us to listen. I very much enjoy using the parables of
Jesus when I preach because if we really listen to them that have a lot to tell
us. Often, if not always when I use a parable in my preaching I learn something
new because while preaching I am also listening.
Jesus was certainly a skilled listener,
the most skilled listener and that is why he helps us tap into the wisdom that
God graces us with each day, all we have to do is listen!
Have a great Thursday everyone!
Daily Prayer:
Loving God we pray;
We hold a treasure - Not made of gold -
In earthen vessels, wealth untold
One treasure only, the Lord, the Christ
- In earthen vessels.
Light has shown in our darkness - God
has shown in our hearts
With the light of the glory - Of Jesus the
Lord.
We hold a treasure - Not made of gold -
In earthen vessels, wealth untold
One treasure only, the Lord, the Christ
- In earthen vessels.
He has chosen the lowly - Who are small
in this world
In his weakness His Glory -In Jesus the
Lord
We hold a treasure - Not made of gold -
In earthen vessels, wealth untold
One treasure only, the Lord, the Christ
- In earthen vessels.
Loving God help us to believe and live
these words today and always! Amen!
(Words
from Earthen Vessels by John Foley, S.J.)
A Runner’s Thoughts: As prayerful
runners let us not run with a sense of expectation that something significant
will happen spiritually. Let us run only asking that our run be in the presence
of God and that we will run with a heightened awareness of God’s presence. If
we run this way occasionally insights will come our way and we might feel a
special closeness to God, but usually we will simply know that we are not
running alone and we will carry with us the sense of a shared journey long
after we have finished our run! (Adapted
from Running the Spiritual Path by Roger Joslin)
Daily Blessing: Thursday blessings
and greetings to everyone! I hope your day has started off well and that it
will be blessed in a special way as you journey through it. If you are finding
life a struggle today please know as always you are in my prayers and I will
say a special prayer that it gets at least a little better as the day goes on.
The weather certainly has changed here
in northeastern Pennsylvania, yesterday was beautiful and we are in the 50’s
this morning heading for the low 80’s. The humidity is gone and there is a
great breeze. It looks to be a beautiful day on this the seventh day of the
novena here at St. Ann’s. It has been a wonderful novena so far, very spirit
filled. I hope you are enjoying good weather wherever you are.
Have a great day and may God bless you
in a special way today with a strong faith to believe in the treasure that you
carry within you and that you are! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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