Daily Reflection for Wednesday, February 05, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020520.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: 2 Samuel 24: 2, 9-17
Responsorial: Psalm 32: 1-2, 5, 6, 7
Gospel: Mark 6, 1-6
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
“Afterward, however, David regretted having numbered the people, and said to the Lord, “I have sinned grievously in what I have done.” 2 Samuel 24: 10
Today we reflect on the first reading from the Hebrew Scriptures. This is unusual for us. We were influenced by Pope Francis. Four days ago on January 26, he set this as a special day to honor, study, and share the Bible. He said the “celebration of the Sunday Word of God also ‘has ecumenical value . . . and firm unity.’” Our daily routine—prayer and scripture—comes mainly from the Gospels. Thanks to Pope Francis for his encouragement to read and study the entire Bible!
In this reading about David’s census in counting men for the military, we find that David is taking the census against God’s will which resulted in 70,000 innocent deaths. We sin as David did, and must ask for forgiveness as David did.
We count everyday—mistakes are made! Shortly after school integration in North Carolina, teachers were asked to keep accurate records on the black/white count. On the very first day after students had left the classroom, the principal came to obtain my (Dorothy’s) count for first period. Keep in mind that we had 20-minute periods on the first day. My count was way off—25 white and 3 black. The next day after taking a good look at my students, I found that the count was more 50-50. Not focusing on the color of students was a mistake in the eyes of the administration but not in my eyes. Even though I said I was sorry and kept an accurate count thereafter, deep down, my focus was on students’ abilities.
May we count with exactness. If we err, may it be on the side of generosity.
May we follow Pope Francis’ encouragement to make “studying the Bible” a daily routine.
May we live so as to be counted in on salvation.
May we all count ourselves as true believers of Christ our Savior!
Prayerfully,
Dorothy and Carlos Alexander