Daily
Thoughts:
“There was no needy person among them…” What a wonderful thought to begin the
day with from our first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles. The
reading paints a hope filled picture of life in the early Church. “The
community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one would claim any of
his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.”
However,
I fear that if someone would speak this way today or paint a picture of a faith
community like that today the political pundits and the 24 hour news programs
would immediately label that person and community socialist as they have tried
to do with Pope Francis as he talks about our responsibility as Christian to
care for all in need. We somehow have it in our mind that everyone has to make
it themselves. Sure if there is a disaster people can be helped but we first
have to learn to stand on our own two feet. It is not socialist to care for all
it is Christian!
I truly
believe that the spirit and presence of Pope Francis is a wonderful model of
the early Christian community that we encounter today in the Acts of the
Apostles. He connects us to the spirit
of the early Church when the desire was to care for all. Pope Francis’ genuineness is that he doesn’t
care what others think he is only concerned with those in need. He doesn’t care
what it cost; he has hope in the presence of God and the community to make it
work. He is not looking for riches and power, his reward is the community and
each person in it. Pope Francis is a wonderful witness of unselfishness.
Perhaps
in the spirit of today first reading our challenge is to make our present day
Christian communities places where we are open to the grace of God and its
transforming power so that we become communities who care and take care about
all amongst us!
Have a
blessed Tuesday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Spirit of
Christ, bless me.
Body of
Christ, save me.
Blood of
Christ, enliven me.
Water
from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion
of Christ, strengthen me.
O good
Jesus, hear me.
Within
your wounds, hide me.
Never let
me be separated from you.
From the
evil foe, defend me.
At the
hour of death, call me; and welcome into your Kingdom.
That with
your saints I may praise you forever and ever. Amen.
(Adapted from the prayer Anima Christi)
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “When we run, we are already so exposed, often nearly
naked in our shorts and T-shirts, huffing and puffing, purified by the effort.
Briefly removed from the defenses and secrets we maintain in so much of our
lives, we feel less need to hide our private thoughts, loves, fears, and
stresses. We share.” (Amby Burfoot) –
What a beautiful thought for a way to live life!
Daily
Blessing:
Tuesday greetings and blessings to all! I hope your Tuesday has started off
well. We had our fill of rain here in Pelham yesterday. It rained the entire
day and there was a real chill in the air, a damp chill. I think today we are
to see the sun but the temperatures will remain cold. Apparently it is going to
take a while before we get back to milder temperatures.
My prayer
of blessing today is that God will bless us all with the energy, the spirit and
the enthusiasm to continue with hope this journey of Easter and life. That God
will bless us with a joy for life, for others and for ourselves. And that
whatever we do, wherever we go, whomever we meet will be touched by the joy and
mercy that we bring! Have a great Tuesday everyone and may your day be blessed
with the warmth of the sun but if you find a few drops of rain coming down when
you walk out the door may it be soft gentle rain that lovingly softens the
earth and you! Peace in Christ’s Passion and the Risen Lord...Fr. Paul
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