Daily Reflection for Thursday, February 03, 2022
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Thursday's readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020322.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12
Responsorial: 1 Chronicles 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd
Gospel: Mark 6:7-13
Our reflection on Thursday’s readings
“Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” Mark 6:11
For the past few months, I have been participating in a formation program. The title of the program is called “Making Peace with God.” It has been a transformative experience, and as any solid formation process, the learnings sink in gradually. I appreciate this approach as it takes me a while to shift perspectives and to integrate new learning, especially when it has to do with my faith.
As the apostles went out to preach the Good News, I wonder how people received them and how they understood God through the incarnational presence of Jesus. Jesus claimed that “He has been anointed to preach the Gospel to the poor and has been sent to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:16)
I can only imagine that there were homes that welcomed the apostles as they preached the Good News, and had them stay for as long as they wanted. The apostles probably also had experiences where they were only listened to through the front door cracked slightly open. And probably only long enough to experience the door slammed closed shut as they were talking.
The message they were preaching ignited fear in some as they felt the message was scandalous, and this Good News was only going to stir up trouble. Others were waiting generations to hear the news that God was a God of nonviolence and who loved those who lived in the margins of society.
Who were those who believed in this Good News without question, without doubt and were waiting for such news? This is the question that remains with me after I read the Gospel. They are the ones I am searching for and have a desire to know. They are the ones that do not need much time to integrate new learning as I do. They get it right away and embrace the Good News with a zeal that sets their hearts on fire. Where are these people today? How can I join them as they live with unshakeable faith and belief in the Good News. I hope I recognize them and let them in my home and not shut them out.
May you be welcomed in homes who want to hear your Good News today,
Margarita Solis-Deal