Daily
Thoughts:
“I long to see your face, O Lord.” Perhaps our response today to the
responsorial psalm says a lot about why we are here and our readings. Elijah on
the run from his own people, discouraged, alone and wondering what is next,
finds himself at the entrance of a cave waiting to encounter God. All the loud,
grand and obvious experiences of God that we often long for just pass him by.
It is in an unexpected tiny whispering sound that God asks the question, “Why
are you here?”
A good
question, why are we here? It is perhaps a question we might ask ourselves
listening to the words of the Gospel (Matthew 5:27-32). Words that might
discourage us as they suggest tearing out our eyes and cutting off our hands
because they might cause us to sin. However perhaps they are words that simply
ask us to be honest with ourselves, words that maybe ask us if we are caught up
in the fear, hurt, anger, jealousy, loneliness and fatigue of life.
Perhaps
in the long journey, the often struggling journey of life we get to a point
when all we want to do is encounter God, to see God’s face. We hope for the
grand entrance, the profound encounter and yet if we don’t pay attention we
will miss the tiny whispering sound that can bring us face to face with God. If
we give into the world around us, throw our hands up in hopelessness, it will
seem like the only thing to do is let go of this life because it is too hard,
too difficult. How can we not sin?
However,
like Elijah, like those gather around Jesus to hear his words, we must always
remember that in the times of struggle, difficulty and hopelessness, God is
always there. Sometimes in the grand encounters of wind, fire and a quaking
earth but most often in the tiny whispering sound of the experiences, people
and world around us. God doesn’t want us to give up, to despair or maim
ourselves. God wants us to look around, to be honest and know why we are here –
to love serve and honor God through the joyful living of life.
Sometimes
it takes a tiny whispering sound to get our attention. Sometimes it takes the
stark reality of life to get our attention. However, once we are focused God’s
face will always be right in front of us and God’s presence will always be
guiding our way!
Have a
great Friday everyone!
Daily
Prayer: O
God, give us insight into our friendships. Help us to see your gift of love,
your presence in them. Help us to be faithful friends to others, loyal,
generous and kind. Grant us the gift through our friendships to love and be
loved. Bless our friends this day and always with the richness of life and the
faithfulness of our love. Amen!
A
Runner’s Thoughts: If we run as a spiritual runner let us remember that it is
being a runner that matters, it is not how fast or how far we go. The joy, the
gift is in running, in the journey and not always in the destination. We have
the best chance of encountering our friend God, in the midst of our run when we
remain focused in the present and don’t think too far ahead! (I adapted this from a quote by John
Bingham, the author of No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of
Running.)
Daily
Blessing:
Friday greetings and blessings to all. I hope your Friday has started off well
and it will be a good day that will take you into a relaxing and fun weekend. It
looks to be another sunny day here in Pelham with very comfortable
temperatures. I hope the skies are bright and the sun is out wherever you are
today.
I will be
headed to the Wartburg Home for the 11 am mass later this morning and then on to
the Provincial Office to continue my transition into my new ministry of The
Sunday Mass. This afternoon I will get a chance to look at my new office and
get brought up to speed on my responsibilities. All part of the learning
process.
My prayer
today is that all will encounter the wonderful tiny whispering sound of God’s
presence in your life today. That all of you like Elijah will be renewed in
your journey, your mission in life and that in being honest with yourself you
will overcome fear, hurt, anger, loneliness, jealousy and fatigue to be the
person of joy, hope and love that God has created you to be! Enjoy your Friday
and know you will all be in my prayers today and always. May your Friday be
safe and may you be blessed with a good day and the beginning of a great
weekend! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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