In today’s Gospel (Luke
8:1-3) we are reminded of the importance of women in Jesus’ ministry. They
were their supporting, taking care of, helping Jesus with their resources,
their gifts, their talents, their faithfulness and their faith.
I ran across a reflection that was very interesting in terms
of today’s Gospel here is a reflection on the Gospel by Kevin Perrotta – “What is it about Mary of Magdala that cause so
many misconceptions to sprout up around her? Some mark her as a great sinner;
others suggest she had a romantic relationship with Jesus. Hacking our way out
of this underbrush of speculation, we do know Mary had some wealth, since she
supported Jesus and the male disciples. No husband is mentioned; was she
widowed? Perhaps she ran her own fish business – a trade that flourished in
Magdala. Rather than a repentant floozy, Mary may well have been a solid family
and business woman – like many of the women in church on Sunday. Seeing her
[this] way makes her a model for many of us today!” (Living with Christ)
Kevin certainly makes us stop and think about Mary
Magdalene. Yes, our Gospel says seven demons came out of her, but who hasn’t
fought with seven or more demons in life? In paraphrasing Thomas Merton – When
trying to identify Mary Magdalene let’s not ask where she lived, or what she
liked to eat or how many demons came out of her but let’s ask how she lived,
what she lived for and what got in the way from time to time? If we ask these
questions Mary becomes a woman of strength and great faith just like the others
who followed Jesus and attended to his needs in daily life.
Let’s hear it for women today and every day! Friday
blessings everyone!
Daily Prayer: Loving God help us to be
grateful today. Help us to recognize your love in everything you have given us,
because we know, we believe that you have has given us everything. Every breath
we draw is a gift of your love, every moment of existence is a grace, because
it brings with it immense graces from you.
Gracious God, in gratitude we must never take anything for
granted. We must never be unresponsive to your love. We must constantly
be awakening to new wonder and giving praise for your awesome goodness. We want
to be grateful people because we know that a grateful person knows that God is
good, not by hearsay but by experience. And this is what makes all the
difference. Amen!
(Adapted from words by
Thomas Merton)
A Runner’s Thoughts: “Finally, I could see
with startling clarity that the time I had spent experiencing pain on a run was
outweighed by the amount of time that I felt good about it. I was aglow. I was
invincible. I was thinking I might be able to do it again.” (Alexandra
Heminsley – Running Like a Girl)
Might we also say this about our faith, our relationship
with God? Yes, we do experience pain, struggle, doubt and difficulty but they
call can be outweighed by the grace, the blessings and the joy we encounter
with God. In the glow of God, we become aglow, we become invincible, we want to
continue the journey. So if you are a runner think of your runs as those times
when we have a chance to get some clarity in our relationship with God. When we
have some time to pray, when we have a chance even in the exhaustion of the end
of a run to feel aglow in the presence of God, to feel invincible and to
continue our journey of faith!
Run strong…run with God!
Daily Blessing: Friday greetings and blessing
to all. I hope your Friday has started off well and that today will be a
somewhat easy day for you. If not and you have many challenges and/or struggles
ahead before the day is done hang in there and know of my prayers for you.
Remember it is only a day there is a lifetime ahead!
In a few moments I head to Jamaica Queens, NY to begin a
long day of taping for the Sunday Mass. It is our first taping at our new parish
in Jamaica, Immaculate Conception. It is a Passionist parish so being there is
like being at home. We had a set-up and rehearsal day yesterday and I just pray
that today will be a life-giving and faith filled day for all. Please keep The
Sunday Mass crew in your prayers today!
For all of you I offer a prayer of blessing as this morning
begins and as your journey through this day starts. May whatever kind of roads
you take today be smooth and not crowded for your journeys, may the wind be
gentle and always helping you along, may the sun shine warm upon your face
helping you to smile, and if it rains may it fall gently upon you as you
journey and, until the sun rises again tomorrow, may God hold you and all whom
you love in the palm of His hand so nothing will harm them and you. Amen! Have
a great Friday everyone. Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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