Daily
Thoughts:
One message from our readings today is that we are to be hope filled people. Yes,
we are to be people live with the Spirit of God in the midst of a world that is
often the voice of hate and anger, a world that is filled with struggles, challenges
and encounters with evil.
In our
first reading, Paul and Barnabas face a challenge in Antioch. Some of the
people in the community do not like Paul and Barnabas’ message. They do not
want these outsiders; they do not want their life changed. So they stir up a
persecution against Paul and Barnabas. But the Spirit of God is alive in Paul
and Barnabas, the Good News will be proclaimed. Those who read and hear the
stories of the Acts of the Apostles are reminded that the Spirit of God will
not be held back, it is a Spirit for all!
John in
the Book of Revelation reminds the churches he is writing to, to stay strong,
to remain hopeful. Even though they are struggling and evil is around them God
is with them. They are journeying through this life to something greater, to a
place of plenty and peace, but they must remain strong. They need to trust
always in God even in the midst of struggles, challenges and evil.
These two
readings are words we need to hear today. The anger, struggles and evil that we
at time encounter in our world bond us to Paul, Barnabas and the early Church.
The anger and hateful rhetoric that we seem to encounter in our world challenge
us to be strong and remain hopeful. The anger, violence and evil of our world
can often make wonder and ask why? But in the spirit of Paul, Barnabas and John
we are called to remain faith filled because we are on a journey to something
better.
Perhaps
in a similar way the challenges of our world today call us to listen in a
special way for the voice of the Good Shepherd. Sometimes the noise of our
world gets very loud but the Good Shepherds voice is always calling us.
Sometimes the leadership of our world, our country, our church, our culture and
society is all about power, authority, money, influence and self-interest.
Jesus in John’s Gospel today reminds us that true leadership is about service
and being a Good Shepherd. Jesus’ image of leadership is about mercy, compassion,
forgiveness, understanding, care, support and selflessness!
The
readings today call us to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd. A Good
Shepherd who is always there especially in the midst of struggle, challenge,
fear and evil. A Good Shepherd with a Spirit that cannot be denied. Let us
listen, live and be God’s faith filled people of hope!
Have a
great Sunday everyone!
Daily
Prayer: O
God, help us to throw ourselves into your loving arms because we know that you
are always with us and will never leave us to face life alone. Enable us to
trust in your presence even in the midst of struggle, difficulty, sadness,
challenge and evil. Grace us with a spirit that is always hope filled. Help us
to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd in the midst of all the noise in our lives.
Strengthen us with the fire of your love so that like you and your Son Jesus we
may be one in faith, hope and love. Amen!
A Runner’s
Thoughts:
“I’ve learned that finishing a marathon isn’t just an athletic achievement.
It’s a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible.” (John
Hanc)
Daily
Blessing:
Sunday greetings and blessings to all. I hope your Sunday has started off well.
Please remember as you journey through your day to give God a little time
today!
In a few
hours I will be headed out to St. John and St. Mary’s Parish in Chappaqua, New
York for the 10 am mass today. Then it will be back home for a little R&R
after a busy week. I had a nice day of recollection with the Passionist
Associates yesterday and I look forward to the new challenges ahead this week.
I want to
thank everyone for your kind words and support yesterday as you responded to
the news of my new ministry. It is going to be a challenging time in my life
for sure but I am excited and looking forward to the challenge.
My prayer
on this Sunday morning is that your day will be blessed with the voice
of the Good Shepherd and that you will all be blessed with the joyfulness of
God’s presence that will help you with any burdens or struggles in your life at
this time. May you encounter God in the breaking of the bread, the sharing of
the cup, the gathering of family and friends and within the gift of your own
life today! Have a blessed and holy Sunday everyone! Peace in Christ’s Passion
and Joy in the Risen Lord…Fr. Paul
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