Daily Reflection for Wednesday, February 23, 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/022322.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: James 4:13-17
Responsorial: Psalm 49:2-3, 6-7, 8-10, 11
Gospel: Mark 9:38-40
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
“If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that.” James 4:15
I come from a family of practical Germans. They were prayerful Christians, builders, bakers, artists, farmers, and seamstresses. They taught me phrases like:
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Take things as they come.
Always make room for God.
There is “life wisdom” in those lines.
Al and I love traveling to visit family and friends. I make plans, research activities, and create an itinerary. It is helpful. However, the most valued element of any journey (be it in travel or life) is “Always make room for God.” That’s where the good stuff happens. It may not be a sanctioned religious event, but blessings and God moments occur when the Lord wills it and we are willing to following God’s guidance.
On one visit, our 9-year-old grandson was being a total brat. When his mom sent him to his room, he uncontrollably screamed and kicked the wall for about an hour. It broke my heart. I wanted to lovingly hug him but hugging a porcupine would have been easier. Instead, I prayed and then sneaked into his room, whispering that he needed a pizza on his back.
WHAT? He was confused and intrigued enough to stop screaming. I said, “Lay down and I’ll make a pizza on your back.” As I pretended to sprinkle flour on his back, kneaded it with shortening and water, rolled out the dough, pressed it in the pan, added his desired toppings, and cut the pizza, he received a calming back massage. He experienced God’s and my love. I don’t know how many pizzas we made that night, but eventually he fell asleep.
Years later, he still loves saying that his Grandma makes the best back pizzas. It confuses people, but he offers no additional information and just smiles. Our son often whispers, “I know that pizza”. That’s more than a pizza. It’s the love of God.
We may have had different plans for the evening, but nothing is greater than what God planned. Always make room for God.
The Gospel today says, “There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can then speak ill of me.” Mark 9:39.
There are no mighty deeds unless they are God’s will, in God’s name. We are simply the pass-through.
Blessings to you,
Ruth Mytty