Daily Reflection for Monday, August 31, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Monday’s readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/083120.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Responsorial: Psalm 119:97-102
Gospel: Luke 4:16-30
Our reflection on Monday’s readings:
Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. Luke 4:21
I find it difficult to believe that 2020 is a year acceptable to the Lord. For me, I cannot proclaim it to be acceptable. However, the Lord blesses us with all the necessities of life and I feel grateful for His gifts.
This year nature is as beautiful as ever here in Indy with blue skies, green forests, and abundant sunshine. Hiking in the woods and bicycling in the country have been healing and therapeutic. Yet the fear of the coronavirus is lurking in my mind, and I miss hugging my friends. My sin is that I worry more about COVID-19 than I pray for this cup to pass.
And yet, Jesus proclaimed: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” That message is not just for the Nazarenes. It is for us to hear as we read it today.
As Christians, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus: to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, and recover sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free. Jesus fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy 2000 years ago, and now it is our turn to be Jesus to the oppressed and captives, the blind, and the poor.
As I ponder life in 2020, perhaps my prayer should be: How do you want me to serve you, Lord? And less of Lord, please take this virus away.
Love and Blessings,
Deacon John McShea