Daily
Thoughts:
Today’s readings are preludes to tomorrow stories, the martyrdom of Stephen and
Jesus’ discourse on the “Bread of Life.” In some ways we can say that today’s
readings are about seeing and hearing and we learn that some people only see
and hear what they want to see and hear. When we live life this way we open
ourselves to the possibility of missing the gift, the presence of God in our
life.
The
religious leaders surrounding Stephen today only see and hear what they want to
see and hear. They miss the very gift from God that Stephen brings to them, the
very gift of God that Stephen is. They miss a chance to grow, to see and hear
thing differently. They have already decided who and what Stephen is thus God
has no chance.
The
people following after Jesus in today’s Gospel are caught up in the miracles
that Jesus has performed. They are not listening to his words, they are not
open to the presence of God, they want more miraculous things. Jesus reminds
them that in order for good things to happen they have to be open to the gift
and presence of God in their lives. That they have to believe not in what they
see and hear but in the presence of Jesus in their lives!
Often we
only see and hear what we want. God can be speaking to us, calling us down a
new path but we miss it. Today let us open our eyes, our ears and our hearts to
the many different ways that God can be present in our lives especially those
ways beyond what we want to see and hear!
Have a
great Monday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Loving God open our minds and hearts to the gift of your presence. Helps us to
see you and hear you in every person we encounter, every experience we have and
every moment we live today. Grace us with eyes and ears that don’t just see and
hear the obvious but that are open to every way you come into our lives. Enable
us to be your Easter people of faith, hope and 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
to in the spiritual life…
Daily
Blessing:
Monday greetings and blessings to all. I hope your Monday has started well and
you are having a good start to this new week.
I am in Mount
Holly, NJ at Sacred Heart Parish where I will begin a mission this morning. The
faith community here at Sacred Heart has a wonderful spirit. It was great preaching
all the masses on Saturday and Sunday and I am looking forward to the next
three days and evenings. Please keep the faith community here at Sacred Heart and
their preacher in your prayers these days.
Even
though it is to be a raining day here today it is still a good day to be alive
and walking the journey of faith in God’s mercy. My prayer of blessing this
morning is that God will bless your day with the faith of St. Stephen, the hope
of a new day and week and the love of many people in your life.
May you
be blessed with God’s presence in your travels, your work and your encounters
with others. May you be graced with much love from the people who mean the most
in your life!
Blessings
upon everyone have a great Monday and a great week. You can be assured of my
prayers as you journey through this day. I hope your weather is warming up and
that you will have a rich and faith filled week! Peace in Christ’s Passion and
Joy in the Risen Christ…Fr. Paul
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