Significance Of Today
Today is International Polar Bear Day. In the past few decades, sea ice in the Arctic has been melting at an alarmingly fast rate, leading the polar ice cap to shrink over time. Because of this, polar bears have been losing their habitats, their sources of food and, ultimately, dying from starvation and exhaustion. International Polar Bear Day aims to raise awareness of the issues threatening these creatures and encourage change.
Interesting Quote for Today
“Nobody got where they are today by living for tomorrow.” ~Tom Wilson
Did You Know
Did you know that you can actually hear rhubarb grow — it pops! This is because of how fast it grows — up to an inch per day.
This is my latest video and it is called ‘Sometimes we get stuck in life’. I got stuck with my car in a muddy field and I got help to get me out. This video also has an important message – we may get stuck in life but we don’t have to stay there. There is always help available.
The video below was the one I had up last week called ‘Celebrating Saint Gobnait’. I recently visited her place of pilgrimage in Ballyvourney and I also got to see the musical ‘Gobnait’ which took place recently in Ballingeary. This video is a blend of both.
This was one of my recent videos called ‘Celebrate Your Light’
If you would like to see a selection of my other videos on YouTube you are welcome to have a look at some of them here: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesMcSweeneyFr/videos
Spiritual Thought For The Week
‘Lord God and maker of all things, creation is upheld by you. While all things must change and know decay, you are unchanging and always new.’ ~From The Breviary
There is a lot in this prayer that touches on many aspects of life and living. It first recognises from a spiritual point of view that God is at the centre of life. God is the heartbeat of creation. It recognises that everything is changing. Nothing in life stands still and everything living must also come to an end at some stage. While we know death is part of life, we often struggle to understand it, accept it or be comfortable with it.
The line ‘You are unchanging and always new’ is worth reflecting on. If something doesn’t change it suggests that it is stuck, stale and old, so how can it be new? When the word ‘unchanging’ is made in reference to God it means that God’s love for us never changes. In living our daily lives we do great things and do lots of things so well. Sometimes we don’t give ourselves enough credit for this.
Yes there are times when we also make mistakes but these can also be opportunities or moments for growth. We think we have pushed ourselves outside of God’s love. But nothing like this can happen because God’s love for us is constant, unchanging and eternal. It is a rock solid foundation to build our lives on, a light to guide us, the air we breathe and the blood in our veins. It is always there and will never change. Every day is a new beginning, as is every hour, minute and every moment. God is in there too, unchanging but always new.
The Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
