How often
have we asked God for something and yet it doesn’t happen, we don’t get it, we
have to settle for life as it is not as we want it to be? How often are we
called to speak or we feel compelled to speak because of our faith but the
words just will not come out because we are afraid of the consequences?
Living by
faith is no easy task, it wasn’t in Paul’s time, and it wasn’t in Jesus’ time.
The world is often a cruel place, a place where words and actions can cause us
pain, sorrow and problems even if they are true and right. The feelings and
emotions of the mob are usually what rules. The Gospel message is not for the
weak or afraid because many leave it at the church door on Sunday, if they have
heard it at all.
Our faith
tells us that God is with us. That whatever we ask in Jesus’ name we will be
given, then why is there so much sickness, death, pain and sorrow in the world?
Wars and violence happen every day. Did no one ask for the violence to stop in
Jesus’ name?
It is
easy to say that we are Christian and call ourselves Catholic but living out
our faith is never easy. In some way God is always there, God always responds
to us, God always gives us what we need, God always stands beside us when we
speak the truth. However, the world always makes it hard to hear, feel, see and
know God’s presence in our life.
As we
live today, as we wonder through this life trying to believe, trying to speak,
trying to trust in God remember love casts out fear. It makes us able to speak
even in the most difficult times and it makes present the most profound gifts
that God gives to us!
Have a
great Friday everyone!
Daily Prayer: Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace that is enough for me. (St. Ignatius of Loyola)
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “I could feel my anger dissipating as the miles went
by—you can’t run and stay mad!” (Kathrine Switzer) So to in the spiritual
life…you can’t pray and stay mad at God!
Daily
Blessing:
Friday greetings and blessings to all! The
sun has not arrived yet here in Greensburg, PA but I am anticipating another
cloudy rainy day and I think the rain will be with me as I make my way back to
Pelham this afternoon. I hope your day will start off well and that you might
get to see the sun at some point during your Friday.
We will
bring the retreat to a close this morning with mass and then the closing
conference. I am hoping to leave around noon. Please offer a prayer for all the
sisters who will be finishing retreat today. And if you could say a prayer for
safe travels for their preacher it would be appreciated.
I realized
yesterday that as I closed the retreat today it is the anniversary of my great
aunt’s death. Sr. Mary Alicia died 58 years ago today. As I celebrate mass this
morning I will remember her and my other great aunt, Sr. Mary Felix is a
special way. I have had the sense all week that their spirits have been with me
as I have celebrated retreat with the sisters of their community. Perhaps they
have smiled upon their great nephew helping me to do my very best! I have heard
many stories about both of them from the sisters here at Seton Hill all week
and I am proud of how faithful and loving my great aunts were.
I offer a
simple prayer of blessing this morning for all of you on this first Friday in
May. I pray that you will be found rich today in the grace and presence of God.
May your travels, your endeavors go well and be safe. May your interactions
with others be blessed with the presence of God. May you enjoy your day and may
it lead to a great weekend! Peace in Christ’s Passion and Joy in the Risen
Lord…Fr. Paul
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