Daily
Thoughts:
We have closed the Christmas Season with yesterday's celebration of the Baptism
of the Lord and today we enter into Ordinary Time. We get a chance to take a
breath and relax a little before entering the Season of Lent or do we?
Sometimes
I think when it comes to our relationship with God, there is no relaxing, there
is no taking a breath, it is always full steam ahead. There is always a new
challenge, a new way to live life. We certainly see that in the Gospel today!
The
fishermen from Galilee get no chance to rest, a new life awaits them. They
think they are settled into the ordinary life but Jesus has something else
planned for them. They think this is just another ordinary day but Jesus makes
it special.
In the
Gospel today, (Mark 1: 14-20), we
witness the beginning of some wonderful friendships. Simon, soon to be called
Peter, his brother Andrew, James and his brother John, the two sons of Zebedee,
all begin the journey of friendship, discipleship, with Jesus today. They each
receives a simple invitation to "Come after me, and I will make you
fishers of [people]." To follow
Jesus and if they do he will change their life. The change is not simple going
for fishers of fish to fishers of people; the change is becoming a friend of
Jesus, which always changes life.
Each
morning we arise, whether in ordinary or special time we are offered the same
invitation to friendship with Jesus that Simon, Andrew, James and John are
offered. We are offered the same opportunity to change our life. The question
is like Simon, Andrew, James and John are we willing to accept it?
Have a
great Monday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Loving God, grant us the grace to recognize you today as you pass by and the
wisdom to say yes to your invitation to follow. May your invitation lead to
friendship with you, newness of life and your gift of love. Help us with the
strength to accept the challenge of conversion of heart and to believe in the
Good News and proclaim it to all we meet by the living of life! Amen!
A
Runner's Thoughts: “Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but
by what you should have accomplished with your ability.” (John Wooden) Make your run today a time of prayer, let go of the
music, let go problems to be solved, let go of the decisions to be made and let
God!
Daily
Blessing: Monday
greetings and blessings to all. Welcome to the first week of Ordinary Time. The
Christmas Season is officially over at least liturgically. Hope you had a good
weekend and that your team or teams won in various sports over the weekend. I
hope your favorite actress, actor, television show and movie won a Golden Globe
last night. And if you are a college football fanatic may your team win
tonight.
I think
it is going to be a cold day here in Pelham though I cannot complain because up
until now we have not had many cold days. Yesterday I went for a run it was
such a mild day that I didn’t mind that it rained off and on during the run.
Crazy weather but as I said I am not complaining. I am just hoping that if it
is going to be cold today at least the sun will be out.
I pray
that you are rested and ready for all this new week will bring into your life.
If not, I hope today will not be too difficult for you so that you can get your
feet on the ground for the rest of the week. My prayers are with all who
struggling with the flu and winter colds at this time may you find good health
quickly. I pray for God’s blessings upon all of us that we will have a great
day and week! May God grace us with his presence this day and may we be alert
and aware of God’s presence as we live this day. May God’s blessing make this
day one that is rich in the presence and friendship of God. Peace in Christ's
Passion...Fr. Paul
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