Daily
Thoughts:
“Run the risk of a face-to-face encounter with others…” These words of Pope
Francis echo our scriptures today. True faith is not based on extraordinary
signs and wonders. True faith is grounded in the ordinary signs and wonder that
we encounter every day. True faith is based in relationships, in experience, in
our connections with others that allow God to be present in our life!
Jesus
words in the Gospel (John 4:43-54) today are as true for us as they were for
the people of Jesus’ time, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will
not believe.” We are always looking for signs and wonders. If I pray to the
Blessed Mother and my prayer is answered I will believe. If I pray to St. Jude
and my prayer is answered I will be believe. If my friend, my family member is
cured of cancer I will believe. If the Blessed Mother, one of the saints, if
God would just appear to me and tell me what to do I would believe.
We are
always chasing miracles, apparitions something extraordinary and if we can just
find one, experience one, we will believe. Or will we? There were many people
during Jesus’ time who saw him heal or raise someone from the dead and did not
believe or only believed for a short time. Take his disciples as an example,
all of the things they saw, all of the experiences they had with Jesus and yet
they still ran away. They still betrayed him. They still denied him. Belief is
not easy and signs and wonders are not the cure. Living and believing every day
requires work. Putting time into our relationship with God, prayer, good works,
care and attention to others, especially those in need are what will make
faith, belief possible.
There are
signs and wonders going on around us every day. The sun rises and sets. People
do good things for others. God is present in nature, people and us. We just
have to stop and take notice. We have to be willing to stop and look at the
ordinary things around us because they will make the extraordinary possible.
God
desires nothing but happiness for our lives as we hear in the words of Isaiah
(Isaiah 65:17-21) today. The only thing that gets in God’s way is us! There was
a commercial a while back, I think for an insurance or investment company and
it opened with a person doing something kind for another person. Someone saw
the gesture and did something nice or kind for another person. The commercial
continued with one act of kindness after another until it came full circle back
to the original person and the original act of kindness. Signs and wonders are
going on around us every day all we have to do is stop and take notice. If we
do – faith, belief in God will be much easier!
Have a
blessed Monday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Loving God, be always with us in times of stress and struggle. Help us to know
that you are close even when we cannot feel your presence. Grace us with wisdom
to always know that you are there helping us and watching over us. As St. Paul
says, “nothing in heaven and on earth can separate us from your love.” Help us
to believe and live St. Paul’s words. Enliven our hearts with faith and hope in
your joy filled love today and always! Amen!
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation
determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” (Lou Holtz)
So before
your next run pause for a moment take a deep breath and ask God to run with
you. When you finish your run, take a moment to reflect on the sense of God’s
presence that you felt as you ran. Try to carry this presence with you as you
go through the rest of your day.
Daily
Blessing:
Monday greetings and blessings to all! I hope everyone had a nice weekend and
that you got a little rest and relaxation. I hope you are looking forward to a
good week.
My
weekend of preaching went well here in Lindenhurst and I am looking forward to
our first day of mission. The mission this week is a little different in that
my first session each day is at 12:15 pm. I think it will be a very interesting
and faith filled mission. Again I ask for your prayers for the faith community
here at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and their preacher.
It looks
to be a sunny day here and they say the temperature will be warmer than
yesterday in fact the weather is going to be very nice for all three days of
the mission. I hope it is going to be nice by you too!
My prayer
of blessing today is that your week, your Monday will start off well and that
today will be rich in the presence of God. May God bless you in all that you
will do today. May today be blessed with many wonderful people who help you to
find the presence of God in your day, in your work, in your journeys and in the
people who are most important in your life. May God bless you with the grace of
God’s mercy and joy today and always.
May
everyone have a great Monday with blessings upon all you do and upon everyone
you meet! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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