Daily
Thoughts:
“How does this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
Words uttered by Elizabeth in today’s Gospel (Luke 1:39-45). Yet I think they
are also words uttered by us at times when we recognize Mary’s presence in our
life.
Yes, I
firmly believe that I have been visited by Mary at moments in my life. Mary has
come to me at times when I needed a mother’s presence either to comfort me or
put me back on the straight and narrow. Times when I needed that hug or when I
needed a stern but loving word to set me straight. Mary has come at times when
the gift of family was strong and ever present and when I was alone and need to
know that family was still there.
Mary
walks into our lives often and like Elizabeth we often recognize her presence
and God’s presence at once because something inside us leaps for joy. However,
there are other times when it takes us a little longer to recognize her
presence and the presence of God. Sometimes it is long after they have visited
us that we are able to acknowledge their presence.
Mary
reminds us today that mothers are so important. They not only give us life.
They carry us until we can face the world. They protect us. They nurture us.
They teach us and they make Mary and Christ present to us throughout our lives!
Perhaps
like Elizabeth today as we think of our own mothers, as we think about pregnant
mothers, as we think about all mothers we should remember how gifted we are
that the mother of our Lord should come to us. We celebrate this day in
gratitude for all the mothers!
Have a
great Monday everyone.
Daily
Prayer:
Loving God, like Elizabeth in today’s Gospel we pause in gratitude for the many
visits that Mary has made to our lives. We give thanks for those visits as they
were made present by our own mothers. With the gift of life, our mothers
carried us in their wombs and gave me life. Like Mary and Elizabeth, they
tenderly, patiently cared for us and taught us to walk and talk. They read to
us and made us laugh. No one delighted in our successes more; no one could
comfort us better in our failures. We are grateful as we remember the gift of
Mary during our journey to Christmas, for how our mothers, nurtured us and
mentored me, and even disciplined me.
In the
spirit of Mary and Elizabeth, please bless our mothers and all mothers, Lord,
whether they are living or deceased. Comfort them, help them to have loving
hearts and to continue to love and give of themselves to others. Strengthen
them when they are down and give them hope when they are discouraged.
Most of
all, God, during the seasons of Advent and Christmas, give all mothers the
graces they most need and desire. We
pray this, grateful for the gifts of Mary and Elizabeth and all mothers in the
name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen!
PS Loving God just one more things, in the spirit
of Mary and Elizabeth bless all expecting mothers too!
A Runner’s
Thoughts:
“As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in
front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are.” (Joan Benoit
Samuelson) Again someone who reflects on running also tells us about faith too.
Faith is more than putting one foot in front of another, more than just going
to mass. It is about a lifestyle, a way of seeing the world, not through just
our own eyes but through the eyes of God. Faith is who we are. It is as a part
of our life as taking a breath.
Daily
Blessing:
Monday greetings and blessings to all. I hope this finds you not too busy with
last minute shopping or preparations. For those who will be traveling during
these next few days please be safe and if you can give yourselves a little
extra time. We here in Pelham are awaiting a few days of rain along with warmer
temperatures as we journey toward Christmas. I hope you all will be able to get
where you are going and settle in for a blessed and holy Christmas celebration
with people you love.
As for
today’s blessing I once again call upon spirits Mary and Elizabeth to focus us
and remind us throughout this day that God is always with us. Loving God bless
us all this day with the echoes of Elizabeth’s words to Mary, “How does it
happen that the mother of my Lord, should come to me?” Make these words our own
today, O God, for by your blessing of creation we all carry around in us the
gift of your presence. May the story of Mary and Elizabeth remind us of your
presence in our lives and give us the strength to give your gift to everyone we
encounter today and always. May God bless us all today. Have a great Monday
everyone! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment