Daily
Thoughts:
“We have given up everything and followed you.” I wonder how many of us can
really say this. Whether we are religious brothers, priests, sisters, diocesan
priests, lay women and men, bishops, cardinals or popes we might think we have
given up a lot or everything but we haven’t.
One of my
Passionist brothers often tells the story that at his first vows the preacher
said, “Today you have given up everything and tomorrow you will begin to take
it all back!” And in a way I think I have to agree with him as I look back of
the course of my own religious life. It is hard giving up everything and with
the way the world is going each day there are new things that we must have,
that we cannot live without. We rationalize and we make excuses for needing
things, for collecting things, for having things.
The same
Passionist brother in the above story once put up a picture of a very beautiful
chalice and paten in the office of our retreat house and he wrote on the
picture, “I need this!” Being a young and brash religious I wrote underneath,
“Do you need it or do you just want it?” The picture came down but we bought
the chalice and paten. We didn’t need it, we just wanted it!
Yet, in
the midst of all this needing, wanting and possessing the Gospel (Mark 10:
28-31) today reminds us that if we are willing to let go there is much we can
receive. It might not seem as valuable and important as the things we seem to
need and want but it is far more important and valuable. It is the presence of
God found in the people around us and in ourselves.
Can we
let go and let God today? Have a great Tuesday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Loving God, in you is found the fullness of life and unconditional Love. We
place ourselves in your hands each day, asking that you make holy all that we
are, all that we have, and all that we offer you. Keep us firm in our faith and
strong in your service. Create in us a new heart that we might meditate on the
Passion of Christ, and find a peace that always welcomes us home. Amen!
A Runner’s
Thoughts:
“I run because if I didn't, I'd be sluggish and glum and spend too much time on
the couch. I run to breathe the fresh air. I run to explore. I run to escape
the ordinary. I run… to savor the trip along the way. Life becomes a little
more vibrant, a little more intense. I like that.” (Dean Karnazes)
Daily
Blessing:
Tuesday greetings and blessings to all. It is a rainy Tuesday here in Pelham. The
weather people say that we need the rain so I will look to capitalize on the
rainy weather by getting some paper work done and enjoying the fact that it is
not a cold rainy day! I hope the weather is a little better by you today.
I
continue to keep expectant mothers in my prayers, especially my niece, Sarah. I
am sure that the final days of waiting are hard. May the new life within these
loving mothers finally come forth and grace a wait world with a new glimpse of
the mystery of God. I also pray for waiting fathers and grandmothers today too!
My prayer
of blessing for all of us today is that God will continue to bless all of us
with his life giving presence and that God will grace us with the strength and
energy to share that presence wherever we go and with whomever we meet!
Blessings to all today, have a great day, stay dry and know that God is with
you! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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