Week 1 devotional

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Mike Geide

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Jun 30, 2024, 2:36:25 PM6/30/24

to Bare Your Souls

Below is a copy of the devotional used for this morning's humid run :)

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Good morning,

The theme for today’s run is: New Beginnings

I thought the “New Beginnings” theme to be a good one given the confluence of recent events, to include:

Many of us have friends or family members who have recently graduated and are beginning a new phase in their lives
Last Saturday Bishop Burbidge led St. Mark in Mass in focus toward the Golden Jubilee; where he re-iterated the theme for this year: “Behold I make all things new”
Last Sunday was Fr. Pat’s last Mass as Pastor at St. Mark, and he will begin the next phase of his life & God’s calling
Fr. Peter is beginning his first Sunday here as Pastor at St. Mark today
And today is the beginning of this running community at St. Mark, as well as perhaps some running newness for some

So as we run today let us pray for these “New Beginnings” as well as contemplate the theme of “New Beginnings” in our own lives.

Imagine constantly running the same smooth, flat, straight path, at the same pace with the same weather, scenery, or external distractions … it might become pretty comfortable to know what to expect down the path, to catch your regular stride and just zone out; but it can also become boring and inhibit any major growth or improvement. As Christians God does not want complacency, boredom, status quo, or “just fitting in” to be our path. He wants us to (1) explore life with discernment, (2) grow with wisdom and virtue from these explorations, and (3) love, help, and guide others in their journey … note: not all of our paths are the same.

I mentioned “discernment” in the paths we take– a new path does not automatically equate to a better path (you can make new mistakes, new sins, or develop new bad habits after all) … taking a new path with discernment means using prayer, reflection, contemplation, and sound advice to hear God’s will for us … God’s will, not our own, not what’s popular, not what’s comfortable, not what your friends, social media, or other sources advertise for us … truly discerning God’s will … this is not easy; there are so many distractions and competing messages out there, …and “new beginnings” and putting total trust in God’s will, particularly when we don’t fully understand or know the outcome can be quite scary (in reference to “New Beginnings” I liked that the song “Be Not Afraid” was a song selection in Fr. Pat’s last Mass). “New Beginnings” can seem uncomfortable and as “beginners” we are prone to making mistakes and having set-backs.

One of my favorite Fr. Mike homilies is a 4-part series that he gave the 3^rd-6^th Sundays after Easter (they’re recorded and I encourage you to listen to them on Hallow) – in this series he highlights that as Christians we are all beginners; experts don’t make mistakes; but we are constantly falling short and need “the expert” Jesus to forgive us, be our guide, and make us new. In this series, Fr. Mike highlights the Venerable Bruno Lanteri and his reoccurring phrase:

“If I should fall even a thousand times a day, a thousand times, with peaceful repentance, I will say immediately, Nunc Coepi [Now I begin]”

Nunc Coepi is the Latin phrase taken from Psalm 77:10 meaning “now I begin”

Meaning everytime we fall astray, with the grace of God, we can begin anew.

One of the things that I have always enjoyed about running is that it provides me a safe space away from distraction to clear my head and pray and meditate on what God is asking of me. Is there anything “new” that God is calling you toward? Are you feeling a nudge toward something that is loving and righteous? Are their skills, talents, or gifts that you have that are under-utilized or can be directed to God’s will? Are there aspects in your life that are in a state of boredom, complacency, or have plateaued? How can these be made new? Are there sins, vices, habits, or unaddressed issues that require a course correction? Are there fears or other inhibitors that are preventing or limiting your growth and potential? I hope in these next weeks we can each hear God’s direction for our own lives; grow in wisdom and virtue from our mind, body & spiritual journey; and love and support each other as a community.

During your run today, open yourself to Jesus with this simple prayer:

“Jesus you make all things new. I love you and I trust your will with my life. Nunc Coepi [Now I begin]”