Daily Reflection for Wednesday, April 29, 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/042920.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Acts 8: 1B-8
Responsorial: Psalm 66: 1-3A, 4-5, 6-7A
Gospel: John 6: 35-40
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
“I came down from heaven not to do my own will”. John 6: 38.
Not to do my own will. Will of the one who sent me. The will of my father. The word will is mentioned frequently in the Gospel reading for today.
Jesus was all about the will of the Father. Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Through much of my life, and even more so now in retirement, I have been fortunate to have options. Which job will I take? Where do we want to live? What kind of car should we buy? Should we do this or go there for vacation? Should I get involved in this ministry or that cause?
Options. Choices. Unlike so many in the world, I was able to choose from good alternatives. It was never “Will we eat or pay the electricity bill?” “Will I survive another night on the street?” “My home was bombed, my country torn apart by war. Where can I find safety for my family?”
I have been lucky because I often had good options from which to choose. For much of my life, I have tried to discern the will of God when important decisions needed to be made. But I have yet to become good at discernment, even now at this age.
When I read that Jesus also needed to seek and find the will of God, I find comfort. Jesus would leave the crowds to go pray. When I pray, I have difficulty staying focused. I can say quick prayers for others or say an “Our Father,” some “Hail Marys,” the prayer to the Holy Spirit.
But when I try to really listen and let God talk and guide me, it seems I often come up empty. And I wonder if I am discerning and following the will of God.
I know there is freedom in knowing God’s will. My prayer for this chapter in my life is that I continually seek to know and to follow the will of God.
Peace and blessings,
Al Mytty