Daily Reflection for Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011520.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: 1 Samuel 3: 1-10, 19-20
Responsorial: Psalm 40: 2 and 5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10
Gospel: Mark 1: 29-39
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
“Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3: 10
“Here I am Lord. I come to do your will.” Psalm 40: 8a, 9a
“For this purpose I have come.” Mark 1: 38
Today’s scriptures are all about our purpose in life. Why am I here? What’s it all about? What is the purpose of life? The great questions we all ask.
Today is the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King knew his purpose in life. In an October 26, 1967 speech to students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia, Dr. King asked, “What is your life’s blueprint?” Dr. King reminded those students that, “No matter what your arenas of service may be, in every activity of life you are on a mission from God. What matters is…how faithful you are to your mission.”
St. Augustine summarized the purpose of life this way: "You [God] have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you."
Pablo Picasso said, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
In his best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren tells us in the first sentence that “It’s not about you.” Warren details five purposes: you were planned for God’s pleasure (worship); you were formed for God’s family (fellowship); you were created to become like Christ (discipleship); you were shaped for serving God (ministry); you were made for a mission (mission).
Fr. Richard Rohr describes finding our true self and the state of union with God.
The purpose of my life is not about me. It’s about God. For God’s purpose, I am here. To listen, to serve, to do His will and to reflect God’s light, peace and love.
Thank you, Lord, for my life. Please, guide me in being faithful to the mission you have for me.
Peace and blessings,
Al Mytty