Daily
Thoughts:
“Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” These words from
St. Paul sit at the heart of our scriptures today. We are asked by St. Paul
today to share our hopes and gifts no matter how ordinary we might think those
hopes and gifts are.
St.
Paul uses the body as an image for our relationship with God as church. We are
the body of Christ and because we are one body we need to work together thus
giving the fullness of life to the whole body. Perhaps said differently, St.
Paul asks us not to be so self-absorbed that we forget about the whole, that we
forget about others.
He
lists seven gifts; prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation almsgiving,
administration and mercy. All of these are important to the Church and the Body
of Christ. All of these are necessary for the Church and the Body of Christ to
grow. If the individual members try to stand alone they will not last long.
Standing together, working in unison, the individual members become a strong
body and that brings hope to all the members.
Our
Gospel today reinforces St. Paul’s reflection. We cannot fight over or promote
our own individual gifts. Jesus’ invitation is to be Church, is to be
community. Using St. Paul’s image we might imagine how helpless just an arm, or
a leg, or a mouth, or an ear, or a hand would be alone. They only have power
and strength when they are working together.
For
Jesus and St. Paul we are to be a joy filled community of hope, working
together, strengthened by prayer so that we can make it through even the most
difficult times to the eternal banquet that God has prepared for us all!
Have
a great Tuesday everyone.
Daily
Prayer:
Grant, O Lord our God, that we may never fall away in success or in failure;
that we may not be prideful in prosperity nor dejected in adversity. Let us
rejoice only in what unites us and sorrow only in what separates us. May we
strive to please no one or fear to displease anyone except You. May we see
always the things that are eternal and never those that are only temporal. May
we shun any joy that is without You and never seek any that is beside You. O
Lord, may we delight in any work we do for You and tire of any rest that is
apart from You. Loving God, let us direct our hearts towards You, and in our
failings, always repent with a purpose of amendment. Amen! (Adapted from a
prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas)
A
Runner's Thoughts: "Run in the present moment, not from something
and not to something. Strive for a grace-filled as well as a graceful
run." (Roger Joslin)
Daily
Blessing: Tuesday
greetings and blessings to all. I hope this finds you well and energized for a
new day. The weather on Sunday and yesterday was just beautiful here in
Columbus. I am hoping that today we have a little more of the same. I hope the
weather by you is cooperating in your life.
Our
second day of mission here at St. Bartholomew went very well yesterday. We had
both a morning session and evening that were nicely attended with a spirit
filled community. I am looking forward to our third day today. Please keep the
faith community of St. Bartholomew’s in your prayers today and if you happen to
also remember their preacher it would be greatly appreciated.
I
want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes yesterday, whether by tweet,
texted, Facebook or otherwise. I had a very nice birthday. I was thinking all
yesterday what better way could I choose to celebrate my birthday then to be on
the road, with a faith community, preaching a mission. At least at this point
in my life it doesn’t get much better! I have come to realize that it is the
little things in life that make all the difference! Again to all who sent
texts, tweeted, posted on Facebook or sent emails – thanks for your birthday wishes!
It was a great day and a great start to “62!”
My
prayer of blessing this morning is a simple one – I ask God’s blessings for all
of you today through the intersession of St. Martin of de Porres, whose feast
we celebrate today. He was a man dedicated to the poor, to all in need and had
great faith in God’s presence in his life. So though the intercession of St.
Martin de Porres may God bless you and protect you today and always. May God’s
face smile upon you. May God’s grace enter into all you do. May you live today
rich in a harvest of faith, hope and love which God has planted within you and
may you always know that nothing can separate you from the love of God!
Blessings to all and have a great day everyone. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr.
Paul
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