Daily Thoughts: “I'm still
discovering, right up to this moment, that it is only by living completely in
this world that one learns to have faith. I mean living unreservedly in life's
duties, problems, successes and failures, experiences and perplexities. In so
doing, we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God.” (Dietrich
Bonhoeffer)
These words from Dietrich Bonhoeffer
seem to capture the spirit of our readings today. Grumbling, complaining and
whining will not change life for the better. It is in the living of life that
we encounter the presence, the grace and the love of God and this is what will
make all the difference.
We have encountered Jesus’ words in the
sixth chapter of John’s Gospel for the last five Sundays and Jesus has reminded
us each week that he is the bread of life, that he is the food that will let us
really live. Today he asks us to stop
complaining and whining, he asks us to live!
We are to follow in his footsteps. We are to throw ourselves into the arms of
God‘s self-sacrificing love. We are to love by making Jesus the center of our
lives, the bread that will last forever. If we make Jesus the center of our
life then we are called let go and let God by recognizing his words, his bread,
his cup and his love as the way to eternal life.
It is easy to grumble, complain and
whine but if we truly want to live our faith journey we need to take up the
challenge of living life completely in the loving arms of God. Jesus does not
ask us to do it alone. He is with us at
every step of the way, offering us himself as the basic food for our
lives. He is also sending us out into
our world to love others and be the support and ‘bread’ to the world around us.
So let us not be complainers, grumblers
and whiner – let us live life today nourished by the word and the bread of life
– Jesus! Have a great Sunday everyone and may the Passion of Jesus Christ be
always in your heart!
Daily Prayer: Look upon us, O
God, hear and enlighten us. Show us your very self. Teach us to seek you, and
when we seek you, show yourself to us. Let us seek you in desiring you, and
desire you in seeking you. Let us find you by loving you, and love you in
finding you. Amen. (Prayer by St. Anselm of Canterbury)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “How you do
anything is how you do everything.” (Kristin Armstrong) This is true in
running, life and the spiritual life.
Daily Blessing: Sunday
blessings and greetings to all. I hope your Sunday has started off well and
that you are enjoying a beautiful day wherever you are. The sun is out here in
Long Beach, there is a nice breeze but I think it is going to be a hot day.
I had the 5 pm mass last night and the 8
am this morning and in about 20 minutes I will celebrate the 10 am so you might
say it is a busy morning for me but isn’t it supposed to be! I truly enjoy my
opportunities to celebrate with a community on Sundays there is something very
life giving for me to lead a community in prayer and the sacramental life. I
hope you will be giving God a little time today?
If you are traveling please travel safe.
And a little shout out to my good friend and Packer Fan in Shelby, NC who will
be watching TV today around 1 pm – I am sorry but “Go Steelers!” And yes my
homily was short today so no one will be late for kick-off.
Whatever you are doing today, relaxing,
working, traveling, vacationing or just being I pray that God’s blessing will
be upon your Sunday filling it with the richness of joy, hope and the goodness
of God’s presence. May today be filled with Spirit and life so that you will
always know like Peter that Jesus has the words of everlasting life! Peace in
Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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