Daily
Thoughts:
Most of us seem to respond -- however imperfectly -- to the great events of our
lives. Special moments in our life like
the birth of a child or the death of a loved one change the way we ordinarily live. Went something special happens we stop to appreciate,
to evaluate, to react. We buy gifts, we pray, we spread the word, we come
together. Our emotions match the moment: gladness, grief, and everything in
between.
This is
what makes the text of the Acts of the Apostles so full of life. Like you and I, the people of Jerusalem and
beyond are responding to a great moment of their lives. There is confusion, celebration and
concern. Something big has happened, and
people are on the move.
The
Church nourishes our Easter reality these days with readings of women and men excited
with the Risen Lord’s spirit. The Easter
event has not gone unnoticed. A
trial. A crucifixion. A resurrection? Quite the combination! Our scene from Acts today shows more and more
people affected and, subsequently, more and more people responding. And though the process isn't always easy,
from our vantage point as readers of today's Scripture we see a great Christian
movement at work.
The
Gospel provides an important insight to accompany the activity of Acts. It's not a post-Easter Gospel, but it speaks
to a post-Easter reality. The disciples,
frightened, face the uncertainty of darkness.
Winds swirl and waves rise as this group looks to proceed without the
physical presence of Jesus. And yet, in
the end, and in a way mysterious indeed, Jesus is with this group. "Do not be afraid." In the end his advice is rather simple yet
bold.
It is
advice we can heed today in our own post-Easter reality. Yes, something big has happened, and we need to
respond -- each in your own way. As
scary as it can be, let’s not be intimidated by confusion and uncertainty. It is important to respond. It may seem at time like Jesus is not with us,
but he is!
Have a
great Saturday everyone.
Daily
Prayer:
Loving God, open our eyes that we may see you in our sisters and brothers.
Lord, open our ears that we may hear the cries of the hungry, the cold, the
frightened and the oppressed. Lord, open our hearts that we may love each other
as you love us. Renew in us your spirit. Free us and make us one. Amen (Adapted
from a prayer by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta)
A Runner’s
Thoughts:
“I used to always say, if the marathon is a part-time interest, you will only
get part-time results.” (Bill Rodgers) So to in the spiritual life…if God is a
part-time interest then you will only get part-time results!
Daily
Blessings:
Saturday greetings and blessings to all. I hope your Saturday has started off
well. I got a weather alert on my phone this morning calling for rain but right
now the sun is out and it looks like a beautiful day but I guess it will not be
last too long. So I will enjoy the gift of the today sun as long as I can and
not worry about what might be coming.
In a few
hours I will head south to Mount Holly, New Jersey and the Parish of the Sacred
Heart where I will begin a mission this evening. Please pray for the faith
community at Sacred Heart and their preacher this week. I will be preaching all
the masses this weekend and then celebrating the mission from Monday thru Wednesday
in the morning at 8:30 am and in the evening at 7 pm. If you are in the Mount
Holly area come and join us!
I pray
that your life and day will be enliven with the blessings of God’s presence in
the people you meet, in the places you go and in the things you do. May you
come to know God today through the living of life and may your living of life
today be graced with much joy!
Have a great
Saturday everyone - enjoy the gift of this day! Peace in Christ's Passion and
Joy in the Risen Lord...Fr. Paul
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