Daily Reflection for Monday, February 14, 2022
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Monday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021422.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: James 1:1-11
Responsorial: Psalm 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76
Gospel: Mark 8:11-13
Our reflection on Monday’s readings:
“For that person must not suppose he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:7 and 8
What is your biggest challenge in this life? The one trial that requires the most perseverance - more perseverance than you think you can muster. The issue that keeps you from being the best “you” that God created?
I can name my roadblock in a heartbeat. It is a challenge I cannot seem to overcome no matter how much I read, study, think and pray about it. You would think with all this devotion to overcoming the problem, I would be educated and wise on the issue. But the more I read, the more I try, the more I know, the more confused I become.
James preaches in the first reading today that he who lacks wisdom should ask God who gives generously and ungrudgingly, and he will receive it. I’ve done that and apparently, I’m not very wise. James has an answer for that too.
“But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind.” I know that anguish! It does feel like being trapped in a huge ocean wave, tossed, and turned about by the wind. It is terrifying to be so out of control.
To make matters worse, James says, “For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.”
Therein lies the key. Do I have more faith in God than belief that I am flawed? Which leads us back to the beginning of James sermon and what he says about perseverance.
Take joy in our trials because they require perseverance. Perseverance strengthens our faith. Perfected perseverance will make us complete, lacking nothing. When doubts arise, have faith, and call on God.
Am I, are you, ready for the next step, the next leap of faith?
Blessings to you,
Ruth Mytty