Daily Reflection for Thursday January 14, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners
We encourage you to reflect on Thursday’s readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011421.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Hebrews 3:7-14
Responsorial: Psalm 95:6-11
Gospel: Mark 1:40-45
Our reflection on Thursday’s readings:
Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God. Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,” so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin. Hebrews 3:12-13
How many of you have had to consider flooring options lately? My wife and I love it so much we've put off the conversation and the project for about 7 years now! I guess the procrastinated project is on my mind because the readings for today got me thinking of flooring and its associated durability and hardness rating. For your information, ceramic and porcelain flooring have PEI ratings based on testing by the Porcelain Enamel Institute; hardwood flooring uses a Janka hardness scale from 0 to 4000. (I highly doubt the author of the letter to the Hebrews meant for this connection.)
Often, the deceit of sin is so subtle as to go unnoticed or conveniently overlooked. Much like the changes noticed in a child’s growth or an ailing loved one’s health, a tougher, less sympathetic and more desensitized heart may not be noticed from day to day changes as easily as those assessed over weeks or months or years. What if we could see our own heart’s hardness quotient? I wonder, would we accept it?
When we assign ourselves as the kings and queens of our own worlds (of sin), the leniency factor is in full effect even as it is hidden from our full view. We interpret our thoughts and assess the appropriateness of our reactions and judge/rationalize our behaviors. As a result, the line of acceptability (for us compared to others) is sometimes one that deceives.
Israel’s infidelity warning from the first reading struck me in its nudge to avoid the inclination towards a hardened, unfaithful heart. This inclination has been difficult to avoid for so many especially given the evolution and aftermath of the last 12 months. This is saying nothing of the recent political tragedy.
In today’s gospel, the leper’s faith struck me for the hope it provides. “If you wish, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). It speaks to the acknowledgement and permission/willingness for cleansing to occur in those who seek to know where their heart is hardened and trust that it can be cleansed along with the desire to do so and in concert with God’s indefatigable mercy.
What is your heart’s hardness rating today? Has the rating trend, of late, been moving in the direction you desire?
Rafael Rosario