Daily Reflection for Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Tuesday’s scripture readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022520.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: James 4:1-10
Responsorial: Psalm 55:7-11a, 23
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37
Our reflection on Tuesday’s readings:
In today’s gospel, Jesus says, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But the disciples did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.” (Mark 9:31-32)
The disciples were in shock. Was their friend and leader going to suffer a terrible fate? And what could it mean that “. . . the Son of Man will rise.” It’s not surprising that as they walked to Capernaum, their conversations avoided probing Jesus’ likely fate, and instead focused on which of them was the greatest. They were in survival mode.
Their reactions are not unusual. Even Jesus, on the eve of his crucifixion, briefly went into survival mode when he prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36).
You and I likely behave similarly. We struggle to reject what we dislike . . . or pretend it’s not there. But a life of faith is like playing golf . . . we play the ball as it lies (it’s called humility).
-- Humility is seeing and accepting the reality of who and what, each of us is.
-- God calls each of us to embrace the truth of our reality.
When I embrace this truth, I’m filled with an inner peace. It allows me to make the most of what is still possible. As a former nun and writer, Monica Baldwin, said: “What makes humility so desirable is the marvelous thing it does to us; it creates in us a capacity for the closest possible intimacy with God.” We are no longer alone and trying to “be in control.” We work hand-in-hand with God so as to become who a loving God wants us to become. Like the disciples, each and every one of us can find humility.
This isn’t always very easy. I am living with Parkinson’s Disease . . . an unpleasant reality that’s hard to accept. But through reflection and prayer I’m “going for a walk” with God . . . opening my heart and mind to humility . . . and thereby growing in my ability to discern God’s presence in my daily life.
What journeys to humility have you taken?
May God’s peace be with you,
Bill Bradbury