The readings
emphasize rules and decrees and warn us of false prophets. Yet sometimes it is a challenge to understand
what are the “decrees” to be followed and what are the ones of “false
prophets.” I know there are times when I
need to stop and examine myself – my actions, my words, my thoughts and my blunders
– to reflect on just where my relationship with God is. I know that some of the
laws and decrees of the world that I live in seem contradictory to God’s expectations. I am often challenged to find a sense of balance
and truth in the living of life.
A litmus
test for me, is the feeling that I get in the midst of choices and decisions in
my life. There is that little voice that
always seems to speak up when I am trying to rationalize that what I’m doing is
okay. If I really stop and am honest
with myself I realize that I’m cutting corners or putting a spin on it so that
I can do what I want not necessarily what God wants. I walk along with my feet
of clay until I take the honest route and shake dirt from my feet. I guess you
can say I argue with myself until rid myself of the “false prophets” and find
my way back what is real honest and true - Jesus.
A common
question we sometimes hear used is – What would Jesus do? It is a question that
I have asked myself often and at times in answering the question I find that I
am not in sync with Jesus. In these moments I need to pause and challenge myself
to do what is right – to truly forgive someone without reservation or to reach
out without resentment or expectation of payback and help someone – to think
that life is just about me, to look beyond myself! That is what my friend,
Jesus, would do, that is what I am called do!
You might say that it is a Jesus thing or
today it is a Pope Francis thing. It is finding the presence and hand of God at
work in the living of life. Laws, rule,
regulations and decrees might not be sexy but that guide and direct us through
the pitfalls of life and often help us to make the right choices.
Have a
great Wednesday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
O God, grant us grace to desire you with our whole heart, so that desiring you
we will always seek you with our whole heart and find you; and in finding you,
we may always love you, and may let go of those thing that separate us from
you, for the sake of Jesus. Amen. (Adapted
from a prayer by St. Anselm of Canterbury)
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “To be a consistent winner means preparing not just one
day, one month or even one year - but for a lifetime.” (Bill Rodgers) I know Bill Rodgers is talking about running,
racing, but I also think you can apply what he says to faith. Faith is a
lifetime of preparation, work and investment. We need to be about faith, our
relationship with God each and every day!
Daily
Blessing:
Wednesday greetings and blessings to all! I hope this midpoint of the week will
be kind to you. We are expecting a sunny and warm day here in the Ohio River
Valley but there is a chance for some storms later in the day. I hope your
Wednesday weather will enhance your day in some positive way.
Our
retreat here at St. Joseph Heights the Provincial Center for the Sisters of
Notre Dame is going well. The sisters have all settled into the routine of
retreat and I as preacher am constantly trying to stay one step ahead of them.
Please keep the sisters in your prayers and if you have the time offer a prayer
for the preacher too!
My prayer
of blessing for all of you today is that you will have a great day wherever you
are and in whatever you will be doing! May this day be one filled with
blessings, hope, peace, laughter and sunshine! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr.
Paul
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