Today is officially the start of the meteorological summer. Beautiful sunshine over the past week or so across Ireland has meant that summer has already well started!
(Photo from Pixabay)
Thought For Today June 1st (other bits return as normal tomorrow)
‘Our true home is in the present moment. To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment.’ ~Thich Nhat Hanh
Today is the first day of June and we are probably planning the month ahead already. We perhaps are also looking back on the month just gone. It is so easy to get caught up in the past and looking ahead to the future. We often lose precious energy in jumping from the past to the future and it can leave us drained and tired. How often we forget about today and the present moment. It is in the current and present moment that life is lived to the fullest. It is here that we will find God best and it is the place where we can simply be.
We don’t have to earn God’s love. We don’t have to prove anything. We don’t have to earn points or try to be perfect. We don’t have to pretend. All we need do is just be true to ourselves. This can only happen in the present moment. The present moment can be challenging, difficult and at times surrounded by sadness. But for the most part it is a good place to be, it is a place where there is no pretence and it is a place where we are honest with ourselves. There is no hiding in the present moment. It is where God is closest to us, nearest to us and totally on our side.
Thought For The Week
‘When you’re really filled with the Holy Spirit it is impossible for those around you not to know it.’ ~Rod Parsley
Last Sunday we celebrated the feast of Pentecost. It is always a great feast day celebrating new life, energy, vibrancy, positivity, creativity, hope, light and so much more. It would be great if there was a simple formula in our search for God. We are often unsure where to start and how to begin. Our searches are many, from our local church, attending Mass and saying prayers that vary from traditional to something deeply personal.
Some find that these simply are not for them and search elsewhere. These searches can often be surprising and beautiful. They include finding God in the humdrum of daily life, music, reading, gardening, reflection, meditation, relaxation and so on. Whatever and wherever our search, it is good that we are searching.
Sometimes though the search can be frustrating and lonely. This is why the support of the Christian faith community can be our anchor when we struggle and falter. The local church can be a place where people meet in joyful and happy occasions such as our recent first holy communion Masses, to sad occasions such as a funeral, but all the while there is a sense of connection, togetherness and sharing together.
Pentecost Sunday reminds us that the Spirit of God knows no limits. If anyone puts limits, then it is we who put them there. Pentecost Sunday is all about being open, trusting in the Spirit of God and letting the beautiful energy of God flow where it wants to. There are days too when we lack energy and motivation. But God’s love for us is constantly bubbling over with life and enthusiasm. Nothing can change this. We pray to the Holy Spirit to re-energise us and to help us find meaning, direction and fulfilment in our daily lives.
The Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
