Daily Reflection for Wednesday, April 01, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040120.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
Responsorial: Daniel 3:52-56
Gospel: John 8:31-42
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
“. . . If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
In this fifth week of Lent, just eleven days before Easter, we are reminded of what Christ said to the Jews who believed in Him. We, too, are true believers and disciples of Christ. However, this Lenten season finds many under more stress than usual with the virus and the economic slowdown. We have much admiration for ones who remain calm and continue to focus on keeping the word with a generous heart. “Blessed are they who have kept the word . . . and yield a harvest through perseverance.” (Luke 8:15)
Nurses, doctors, and medical staff toil and strive with grace and caring. They rarely share their views, troubles, and needs; they focus on the patients. They are keeping the word by their actions. Like the Good Samaritan—they stopped along the road to help. They bandaged the wounds, and made sure their charge was in the best of hands.
How can we as believers and Christ’s disciples do that? The works of mercy would be a good start.
- ïFeed the hungry—donating to food banks, and preparing meals for others.
- ïGive drink to the thirsty—offering bottled water to service people, trash collectors, and others.
- ïGive alms to the poor and shelter the homeless—supporting organizations that target this population and give the systemic help they need.
- ïVisit the sick—making a phone call and/or sending cheerful notes and letters.
- ïVisit the imprisoned—giving support to the Kairos prison ministry movement and supporting initiatives that reinstate rights for those who have served their prison time.
Be thankful and respond with a loving heart to the demands this health crisis has put upon the world community. The word is kept no matter your belief or disbelief in the act of loving one another as one self.
May we allow ourselves to accept God’s peace and be able to pass peace and understanding to others.
Prayerfully,
Dorothy and Carlos Alexander