Daily
Thoughts:
As we begin this most Holy of Weeks our readings (Isaiah 42:1-7 and John 12:
1-11) remind us of the good of this week and the bad. We are reminded of the
compassion and love of Jesus. We are reminded of the caring and friendship of
Martha, Mary and Lazarus. We are reminded of the impact that Jesus had on
peoples' lives. We are reminded how Judas lost his focus and turned away from
Jesus.
These
early days of Holy Week set the scene, the characters and the focus for the
Triduum. They give us the background of the story that will lead us to Calvary
and the empty tomb. They remind us of how easy it is to get lost in the
trappings of the world. They remind us how easy it is to be distracted by the
things of the world and to not recognize the presence of God. They remind us of
how hard it is to be faithful people.
The scene
today also reminds of the fact the Jesus is willing to accept extravagance when
it is done in love. Jesus appreciates the extravagance of Mary's true love
because Jesus and the Father are always about offering true love, the true love
of the Cross which we will celebrate later this week.
What
extravagant gesture of love can we offer someone this week? How can we make
God's presence known and felt in our world this week? Remember God never turns
away from a humble and contrite heart. Let us not be like Judas, someone who
cannot grasp the love and support of God, rather let us be like Martha, Mary
and Lazarus people who are friends of God!
Have a
blessed Monday of Holy Week everyone!
Daily Prayer: Loving God, help us to
enter more deeply into this journey of Holy Week. May we always have the faith
of true friendship with you. May our actions express this friendship and thus
make your presence known to all that we meet. Touch us with your extravagant
love so in our moments of doubt and struggle we will not turn way, but turn
towards you trusting in your compassionate love. Give us hearts which are
humble and open to forgiveness. Give us spirits alive with your joy and love.
Amen!
A
Runner's Thoughts: As we run during this Holy Week let us remember that each
run can help us embark on a pilgrimage of the ordinary which often leads us to
the extraordinary and sacred!
Daily
Blessing:
Monday of Holy Week greetings and blessings to all. I hope your Monday and your
week is starting of well. I will be heading out in a little while to a funeral
but other than that it will be a quiet day for me.
In Pelham
we woke to the cold white stuff on the trees and grass but not on the sidewalks
and roads. Now the sun is trying to peek through and I am sure the cold white
stuff will be gone quickly. Just Mother Nature reminding us in her gentle way
to not get too comfortable!
I hope
you had a great weekend and found some time for God by entering into the
celebration of Palm Sunday! I will be praying that God will bless your Holy
Week and fill it with many graces. May the God of Abraham and Sarah, the God of
Martha, Mary and Lazarus, the God of Peter, James and John, the God of Mary
Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph bless and be with all of us as
we make this journey of Holy Week.
My
prayers are with all of you today and throughout this week. Please give
sometime to God this week, even if your week is a busy one. Attend one of the
Triduum services, make a visit to a Church on Holy Thursday evening, take the
afternoon off on Good Friday, just try to connect with God in some special way
this week. You will not regret it! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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