Daily Reflection for Thursday December 01, 2022
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Thursday's readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120122.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Isaiah 26:1-6
Responsorial: Psalm 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27
Gospel: Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Our reflection on Thursday’s readings:
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. (Psalm 118:1)
There are many passages in the Book of Psalms that are balm for the soul. The passage in today’s readings is one of them. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. As I read this repeatedly, the words gratitude, goodness, and mercy entered my imagination. I see the words as guideposts that are offering me the directions I need as I navigate through life.
Gratitude leads me to peace—grateful for God’s incarnational presence among us. Present in all things, through all things, and with all things. Gratitude leads me to peace.
Goodness leads me to joy. Fr. Thomas A. Judge, the founder of the Missionary Servants, is known for saying, Be Good, Do Good, and Be a Power for Good. Fr. Judge knew intimately Jesus’ goodness and could not help but be in service to spreading goodness to everyone, especially those abandoned and marginalized. It was a way of life for Fr. Judge that brought him infectious joy. Goodness leads to joy.
Mercy leads me to love. The Psalmist says that God’s mercy endures forever. Jesus showed us what makes for mercy. He showed us how to love “the other.” He always stood in right relationship with those who persecuted Him, rejected Him, and loved Him. Forgiveness was the path He chose. His mercy that endures forever is possible through forgiveness and forgiveness leads to love. Mercy leads me to love.
Gratitude, goodness, and mercy are the guideposts I will follow to lead me this Advent season. I know that these guideposts will not let me wander but guide me to the Incarnation miracle – Christmas.
May gratitude, goodness and mercy be your guideposts today,
Margarita Solis Deal