Daily Reflection for Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners!
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021622.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First reading: James 1:19-27
Responsorial: Psalm 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab,5
Gospel: Mark 8:22-26
Our reflection on Wednesday's reading:
(E)veryone should be quick to hear, slow to speak… James 1:19
Then he laid his hands on the man's eyes for a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Mark 8:25
Today's scriptures address the importance of listening over speaking--also healing how we see, so we can see more clearly. Too often I fail to hear or see clearly. Why? I believe this is because I get busy running my own life. I lapse into doing what I think I need to do, hearing and seeing what I expect to see and hear. But then I miss so much.
My wife, Anna, sometimes comments on my negative anticipation when we are watching a movie or TV series. (Covid has opened the world of the BBC to us.) I tend to anticipate the trouble ahead in the plot, but I am often wrong. So why am I prone to these negative expectations? I believe it is an old defensive habit born out of my fearful belief that I better watch out, that I need to be ready for trouble because it's up to me to run my life.
Nothing separates me from the affirming and loving will of God faster than this ill-founded negative expectation that leads me to too much dependence and trust in my own power.
I don't see myself as a pessimist; I see myself much more as an optimist. But I easily lapse into a defensive posture when the vicissitudes of life come at me. At these times, I can feel alone and wanting to be in control. Then I don't hear, and I don't see the loving presence of God in my life.
I recently read in Fr. Greg Boyle's new book, The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness, that God wants nothing more from us than to let Him love us. Just like the prodigal son's father, when we surrender and let our heavenly Father embrace us, hold us and love us; the father himself is greatly pleased.
So I want to hold onto that wisdom in my mind, I want to hear the reassuring voice of my creator when I have drifted into my own path and strayed from home. And I want to see the image of the prodigal son's father fully embracing him.
Prayer: Lord, lay your hands on our eyes and ears. Help us to see and hear your love in the moments of our lives. Help us to turn away from the fear that drives us back to only our own resources. Allow us to collapse into your eternal arms of love, protection, and guidance . . . in all things. Amen
Ed Mitchell