Daily
Thoughts:
After praying with today’s Gospel last evening before heading to bed it was on
my mind as I opened my eyes this morning. I can’t help but hear Jesus’ words in
all the articles, headlines and reflections that I have read over the last four years about the Synod of the Family and now the Synod on Youth. Just by reading the headlines over the last two years you might
surmise that the Church is in trouble. That we seem to be in the midst of confusion
and unthinkable divisions – bishop against bishop, cardinal against cardinal,
cardinal against pope, conservative against liberal (well this one is quiet
thinkable), but hopefully you get my point. In all the chatter especially from
within the Church about the good and bad of the synod you would think the “End
Time” is just around the corner.
Yet,
my response to all of this chatter, media and hysteria is – in the immortal
words of Aaron Charles Rodgers, quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, as the
Packers got off to a slow start last season – “Relax!”
Jesus
tells us in the Gospel today (Luke 12:49-53) that there will be divisions,
conflicts and struggles because of his presence, message, ministry and call. He
tells us that he has come to set the earth on fire and through the centuries
that is exactly what has happened from time to time. There is no reason to
believe that it will stop anytime soon unless God has other plans. As long as
there are two people there will be disagreements, struggles and challenges.
The
Synod on the Family which was called for by Pope Francis in October 2013 and
began in October of 2014 while almost over was never going to be something, at
least in my opinion, that would shake the world or come to a definitive conclusion
. Those gathered for the synod the last two years were told by Pope Francis to
speak frankly, honestly and truthfully and it seems that is what they have been
doing. Hopefully they are listening to one another as well. Hopefully they are expressing
their opinions, listening to each other and trying to formulate a document that
will reflect their thoughts, feelings but most importantly their work so that the
Church will be able to move forward with better focus on the needs, issues and
life of the family in today’s world.
Unfortunately
for the Church, like a football team that plays a bad game, everyone stands
ready pounced on them, the international and national media, cardinals,
bishops, priests and laity alike. What are they saying? What aren’t they
saying? What do they really mean? Was the translation right? Is the process right?
It all too confusing! It’s a mess? This confusion is of the devil! They have
challenged doctrine! And so on and so on and so on!
Let
me send this memo to the team, fans, media, to all cardinals, bishops, priests,
deacons, whomever – “Relax!” The synod is a work in progress, yes it is messy,
yes there will be fights, disagreements and divisions but let’s all have some
faith in the Holy Spirit. Let’s all have some faith in the process. Let’s all
believe in the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ love!
Have
a great Thursday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Grant us God, to know what is worth knowing, to love what is worth loving, to
praise what delights you most, to value what is precious in your sight. Do not
let us judge by what we see, nor pass sentence according to what we hear, but
judge rightly between things that differ and above all to search out and to do
what pleases you. Amen (Adapted from a prayer by Thomas A Kempis)
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “The most important day in any running program is
rest. Rest days give your muscles time to recover so you can run again. Your
muscles build in strength as you rest.” (Hal Higdon) So too in the spiritual
life – rest is necessary for the mind, soul and spirit!
Daily
Blessing:
Thursday greetings and blessings to all! I hope your Thursday has started off
well. From all indications we will encounter another warm day today before
things turn a bit chilly on Friday. I hope the weather wherever you are will be
kind to you today.
Around
10:30 am I will be heading out to the Wartburg Home in Mount Vernon, NY to
celebrate mass with the people there at 11 am. I have been celebrating with
them on Thursday the last few weeks.
My prayer
of blessing today comes from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians – Friends, I
kneel before God this morning, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is
named, that God may grant all of you in the accord with the riches of his glory
to be strengthened with power through the Holy Spirit in the inner self, and
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and
grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what
is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ
that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of
God! – And I also ask God to bless you with a joyful and grace filled day!
Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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