Daily Reflection for Wednesday February 03, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020321.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Hebrews 12: 4-7, 11-15
Responsorial: Psalm 103: 1-2, 13-14, 17-18a
Gospel: Mark 6: 1-6
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God and that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled.” Hebrews 12: 14-15
I think everyone can relate to experiencing tough situations or trials. You may have experienced them at work or within your family. As I reflect on the reading today, I can identify a trial in my own life that has lasted for years as I waited patiently for change that did not come.
For some reason, this year I knew I had endured this situation long enough. Thinking about it, frustration and bitterness welled up inside of me. As I look to the reading, I hear Paul say, “Strive for peace” and “that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble.” He also says, “Endure your trials as discipline.” Notes in my bible that tell me that discipline can be thought of as education, so how does this trial educate or discipline me?
Perhaps it is the way I am noticing my negative reactions of frustration and bitterness to this trial. Those negative feelings can only “cause trouble.” As a Christian, it seems clear that what I need to infuse into this trial is room for God’s grace, so that the fruits of patience and peace will replace bitterness and frustration. I also have not been alone in this trial and have received help. This is a reminder of the blessing that can come from difficult times in our lives.
Is there a trial you are enduring? How does this passage speak to you?
Blessings for the journey!
Paula Paul