Daily Reflection for Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Tuesday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021820.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: James 1:12-18
Responsorial: Psalm 94:12-15, 18-19
Gospel: Mark 8:14:21
Our reflection on Tuesday’s readings:
Do you not remember … Do you still not understand? Mark 14:18, 21
I don’t usually think of myself as an overly sentimental person, so I was surprised recently to notice how saturated my living space is with mementos—family photos and scrapbooks, “artwork” and cards created long ago by our sons and more recently by our grandchildren, gifts from beloved friends, treasured books that I will never read again but cannot bear to part with, cherished items that belonged to my mother ... and on and on. Just about every drawer or cabinet holds something that sparks a memory. Of course, that’s the reason I keep these precious items. They pull at my heartstrings and make me smile. They remind me of the goodness and blessings that have filled my life.
In today’s gospel Jesus and the disciples set off in a boat shortly after Jesus declined the Pharisees’ skeptical request for a heavenly sign of His legitimacy. Once in the boat, the disciples become agitated when they discover they have forgotten to bring bread and have only one loaf with them. When Jesus warns them to avoid the “leaven of the Pharisees and Herod,” the disciples obtusely conclude He is referring to their lack of bread. One can easily sense Jesus’ obvious frustration. He reminds them of His two recent miraculous multiplications of loaves in which He fed those in need with leftovers to spare. He pointedly asks the disciples: Do you not remember … Do you still not understand?
What Jesus apparently wants the disciples (and us) to understand is who He is for us. He is Emmanuel, God-with-us. He wants us to understand that we can always trust in God’s ever-abundant goodness, love, and care even when we face hardship, illness, or the many other struggles of human life. We are not alone—He is at our side.
What worries do you bring to prayer today? Like my collection of mementos, can you search your own memory for times when God has carried you through and blessed you abundantly? Can those memories strengthen you to confidently pray today: I give You thanks for all the blessings You have bestowed on me in my life, and I trust that You will be with me always.
Wishing you God’s blessings,
Jean Galanti