Daily
Thoughts:
“I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out
on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and
from clinging to its own security.” (Pope Francis – Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy
of the Gospel)
These are
perhaps odd words from Pope Francis to use on this Feast of St. Joseph, yet I
think they are words which reflect the life of Joseph. He was a laborer and he
faced many challenges in his life especially when God came calling. St. Joseph
was a person of life, an ordinary person who through faith did extraordinary
things. St. Joseph is a wonderful image of the kind of Church Pope Francis
wants, a compassionate, loving and joy filled Church.
Today we
celebrate St. Joseph a person we know very little about but what we know can be
an inspiration for all of us. He was a simple man skilled in the use of his
hands to shape, form and build. He was an ordinary man placed in an
extraordinary situation. He was a faith filled man who staked his life on the
promises of God.
St.
Joseph wanders into our life through a few verses of scripture and leaves a
lasting impression. In every situation we find him he pursues the right thing
to do. He is righteous man who cares about the people around him. He is a
loving man who protects those he loves. He is a hope filled man who places his
trust in his relationship with God.
Yes, in
his ordinariness St. Joseph stands as an example for all of us and we live our
lives of faith. He is a model of quiet faithfulness. He is the hopefulness that
fathers bring to a family. He is an example of loving attention to God’s
presence. He is the humble father who reminds us of the gift of family life and
the challenge of living for others!
As we
celebrate St. Joseph today as the husband of Mary let us honor his
faithfulness, his hopefulness and his love by letting him be an example that
helps us to live our life of faith caring for those around us.
Happy St.
Joseph’s Day to all, and have a great Saturday!
Daily
Prayer:
Loving God, we honor your faithful servant, St. Joseph today. Help us with your
grace to be your faith filled servants too. Enable us to be compassionate like
Joseph to those around us. Give us the wisdom of Joseph so that we to will see
your plan in every aspect of our lives. Gift us with a love like Joseph so that
we to can make a difference with our lives. Touch us with the joy of Joseph so
that we will always find the gift of God’s presence in everything we do. Good
St. Joseph pray for us and watch over us. Help us to always find the value of
family life no matter how difficult the world makes it. Amen!
A
Runner’s Thoughts: You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there.
Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it
always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a
sense of achievement. (Steve Prefontaine)
Daily
Blessing:
Happy Feast of St. Joseph and Saturday greetings and greetings to all. I hope
your day has started off well and that you are looking forward to a productive
and life giving day.
The
Carmelite Sisters and I had a very nice Day of Recollection yesterday and I had
a quiet evening of reflection myself. Later this morning I will make my way
back to Pelham. For me it will be a Saturday of catching up as I try to clear
my desk of all the mail and messages that have crossed it during the last week.
I will also begin my preparations for the week ahead.
I thought
a storm was coming on Sunday but right now they are saying no or maybe so who
knows! May your Saturday and Sunday be graced with good weather and an
opportunity to relax and enjoy life a little.
My prayer
of blessing today is that through the intercession of St. Joseph, all of us will
remain focused on our faith, on our relationship with God and on all the
wonderful things God has done for us. May we never give in to hopelessness and
look elsewhere to a god the world creates. Many blessings to all today, success
in your endeavors, safety in your travels and many experiences of God’s
presence throughout the day! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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