Daily
Thoughts:
Greetings everyone on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. It is a special
day for me and one that I always celebrate I guess because I was blessed with
the name Paul.
There are
two choices today for the first reading, both for the Acts of the Apostles. In
the first option from Chapter 22, Paul retells his experience on the road to
Damascus and in the second option from Chapter 9 Luke is telling the same
story. I could not help but smile a little as I considered the two options,
they tell the same story but just a little differently. I thought of that game
where someone starts off by whispering a story to the person next to them and
it goes around the circle and the last person tells the story out loud and it
is always a bit different.
Whether
the stories are exactly alike, is not important, what is important, is what
happen on that road to Damascus. Saul, as he was called then, soon to become
Paul, has a change of heart, has a change of direction. He leaves that spot on
the road a changed man, no longer a persecutor, now he is a preacher of the
Good News. If anything the story of Paul reminds us that people can change,
that people can come to see life differently. It doesn't take violence, anger,
insult or judgment to make them change. Sometimes all it takes is a different
vision, a different perspective, a different way of seeing things. God gives
Paul the opportunity to see things differently and he accepts the chance.
Paul put
his original energy of faith to work with anger, resentment and violence, Jesus
invited him to see things a different way. His energy did not go away it just
got refocused in a positive life giving way. He no longer walked in fear, anger
and in judgment but he walked in the mercy of God and proclaimed the Good News
and hope.
As we
celebrate the gift of this new day, as we seek the sacredness and giftedness of
life in our world, let us not live in fear, in anger, in violence, in judgment;
let us live in the light and hope of the Good News. St. Paul walk with us, give
us your energy to proclaim the mercy and Good News of God to the world!
Happy
Feast Day to everyone with the name Paul and have a great Monday everyone.
Daily
Prayer:
Glorious Saint Paul, most zealous Apostle, Martyr for the love of Christ, give
us a deep faith, a steadfast hope, and a burning love for our Lord. So that we
can proclaim with you, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in
me.” Help us to put on Christ, as God’s chosen ones, clothed with compassion,
kindness, humility and patience. Make us “ambassadors for Christ,” always
proclaiming our salvation with faith, hope and love. Help us to seek the unity
of all members of Christ’s body. Amen.
A Runner's
Thoughts:
“Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it
permanent.” (Marilyn vos Savant) Remember it is your intention that sets you
apart from every other runner. So today and every day have the intention of
life and the willingness to celebrate the gift of life with every step of your
run.
Daily
Blessing:
Monday greetings and blessings to all and happy Feast of the Conversion of St.
Paul the Apostle! To all who might bear the name Paul, like myself or who might
find St. Paul and this feast dedicated to his conversion a source of
inspiration and strength, like myself, many blessings and much peace.
I always
celebrate the gift of St. Paul whenever I can. Today is one of my favorite
feasts throughout the year. I will remember St. Paul as I celebrate mass today
and I will draw upon the gift of the presence of St. Paul in my life and
celebrate that gift as I go through this day.
Well it
looks to be a beautiful sunny day here in Pelham although it still is rather
cold and there is lots of snow on the ground. However, things are getting back
to normal at least as normal as things ever get in my life.
My
blessing prayer is very simple this Monday morning - May the spirit of St. Paul
the Apostle be with all of us throughout this day. May his energy enliven our
work, our ministry, our living of life today and always. Many blessings and
remember with St. Paul's help we too can get up when we are knocked down and
life will be better because we do! Have a great Monday everyone and may the
spirit of St. Paul be with you. Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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