Daily Thoughts - 09/01/2015

Daily Thoughts: “Our duty, as men and women, is to proceed as if limits to our ability did not exist. We are collaborators in creation.” (Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J.)

This quote by the great philosopher, scientist, theologian, Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. came to mind as I was praying with our readings for today (1Thess 5:1-6, 9-11 and Luke 4:31-37).

In his First Letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul is asking the community to trust in what they believe in, in other words to have faith. He points to the things going on around them, the uncertainly of their times and that some people are saying, “Peace and security,” everything is fine, while others are say “ruin and disaster,” life is a mess! St. Paul says let’s trust in our relationship with God. Let’s be faith filled people and live life “as if limits to our ability [do] not exist.” Let’s work with God.

Jesus on the other hand in the Gospel is helping people to experience the gift of God in their lives. His teaching has power and authority. But what gives Jesus’ teaching so much power and authority? We might say it is because he is the Son of God and we would not be wrong. However we might also say that Jesus’ teaching has power and authority because of how he treated people. In the Gospel today he expels a demon spirit so that a man can get on with his life. Over and over again Jesus takes people where they are and helps them to grow, to recognize the grace and presence of God in their lives.

Jesus knows that limits to our ability do not exist, because anything is possible with God. So let’s live this day in God’s presence. Let’s look beyond what appear to be our limits and let’s work with God to make a better world. Let’s be collaborators with God to bring about peace!

Have a great Tuesday and first day of September everyone!

Daily Prayer:

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe

and in the smallest of your creatures.

You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out upon us the power of your love,

that we may protect life and beauty.

Fill us with peace, that we may live

as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor,

help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,

so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives,

that we may protect the world and not prey on it,

that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Touch the hearts

of those who look only for gain

at the expense of the poor and the earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,

to be filled with awe and contemplation,

to recognize that we are profoundly united

with every creature

as we journey towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day.

Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle

for justice, love and peace.

(A prayer for our earth from Laudato Si by Pope Francis)

A Runner’s Thoughts: “The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” (John Bingham) The miracle is also trusting in the presence of God, then finding, embracing and acknowledging that presence as we run!

Daily Blessing: Tuesday greetings and blessings to everyone and happy first day of September. It is a beautiful morning here in Long Beach though they say it will be another hot and humid day at least there is a bit of a breeze this morning.

I hope your day has started off well and is not too busy. I pray all of you will have a great Tuesday no matter where you are or what today will bring! I pray for God’s blessings upon all of you as you go through your day. May God bless all your endeavors, may God be with you in all of your challenges and in all of your struggles. Please trust in the presence of God that you carry within you and don’t be afraid to share your gift. Again, blessings today upon everyone! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul