Daily
Thoughts:
Mary's Magnificat one of the most beautiful prayers. It is a reflection of her
trust and faith in God. It is a reflection of her commitment to God's plan for
her. Each evening I pray this prayer hoping that as I live life I can have the
same trust, faith and commitment in and to God.
Both
women in the scriptures today teach us about commitment, trust and faith. Mary
and Hannah are models of what it means to be a friend of God, of what it means
to be beloved by God. They teach us true friendship and commitment.
Perhaps
as we prepare in these final days before Christmas we might look at our own
friendship with God and renew our commitment to proclaim God's greatness in our
life!
Have a
great Tuesday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Today I am going to offer you a prayer that Pope Francis used the other day at
the end of his talk to the Roman Curia. It is a prayer often referred to as the
"Romero Prayer" however it was not write by Blessed Archbishop Oscar
Romero. It was written by Bishop Kenneth Untener. I had the great honor of
talking with Bishop Untener for over two hours one day many years ago before he
died. He was a wonderful man, a great preacher and the kind of shepherd the
Pope Francis would have liked. I offer you Bishop Ken’s prayer today because I
believe it speaks of Mary’s prayer in our Gospel today…
Every now
and then it helps us to take a step back
and to see things from a distance.
The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts; it
is also beyond our visions.
In our lives, we manage to achieve only a
small part
of the marvelous plan that is God’s work.
Nothing that we do is complete,
which is to say that the Kingdom is greater
than ourselves.
No statement says everything that can be said.
No prayer completely expresses the faith.
No Creed brings perfection.
No pastoral visit solves every problem.
No program fully accomplishes the mission of
the Church.
No goal or purpose ever reaches completion.
This is what it is about:
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that others will watch over them.
We lay the foundations of something that will
develop.
We add the yeast which will multiply our
possibilities.
We cannot do everything,
yet it is liberating to begin.
This gives us the strength to do something and
to do it well.
It may remain incomplete, but it is a
beginning, a step along the way.
It is an opportunity for the grace of God to
enter
and to do the rest.
It may be that we will never see its
completion,
but that is the difference between the master
and the laborer.
We are laborers, not master builders,
servants, not the Messiah.
We are prophets of a future that does not
belong to us.
(Prayer by Bishop Kenneth Untener, Former and Deceased
Bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan)
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “Winning isn't about
finishing in first place. It isn't about beating the others. It is about
overcoming yourself. Overcoming your body, your limitations, and your fears.
Winning means surpassing yourself and turning your dreams into reality.” (Kilian Jornet) Winning is about a
friendship with God and as the angel Gabriel reminds us that all things are
possible with God!
Daily
Blessing: Tuesday
greetings and blessings to all. I hope this finds you well and having a good Tuesday
before Christmas. I know for many of you this might be a stressful time, trying
to get things done at work so you can get away and have a nice Christmas and
/or rushing around trying to get last minute things done so that you are ready
to celebrate Christmas. At least the weather is not getting in the way
especially here in the northeast. We expect another mild day with some rain
which at this time of the year isn’t all that bad. So if you are in the midst
of this chaos hang in there you will make it because all things are possible
with God!
If you
are traveling at some point this week please travel safe, take it easy, take it
slow, it might take a little longer but you will get there in one piece and it
will be a much better celebration with you present, remember there are a lot of
crazy, in a hurry, none thinking people out there.
With two
plus days left until the Christmas celebrations begins let us pray that these
next couple of days in our lives will be blessed and graced by God so we will
be ready to welcome the gift of the Christmas spirit into our lives.
Loving
God, bless us this day by reminding us that we have come into this world from
your hands and that your loving hands are always at work in our life. You have
created us in your image and likeness and gifted us to the world. May we live
that gift today and every day. May we make present your presence, your love and
your hope in all that we do and say today.
And may we be ready to celebrate the gift of Christmas surround by the
people most important to us. Loving God, come to life within us today and
always! Final days of Advent blessings to all. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr.
Paul
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