Daily Reflection for Wednesday January 20, 2021
Peace and blessing, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012021.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First reading: Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17
Responsorial: Psalm 110:1-4
Gospel: Mark: 3:1-6
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
“They watched Him closely . . .” Mark 3:2a
How do I watch Jesus? What am I looking for when reading about his words and actions? I fear I am searching for self-justification, a soothing of my soul, or an assurance that I am right. But what if I am wrong? What if a true hearing of my Lord is meant to disturb, to upset my assumptions, to challenge the stories I have told myself to avoid painful awareness.
The Pharisees were disturbed. Deep within, they knew Jesus spoke the truth and did the will of his Father. This disturbed their illusions of self-importance and self-sufficiency. So they sought to silence him—this one who dared disturb their peace.
Jesus speaks today! Deep within, we feel the truth, the challenge to love and heal, the call to give for the sake of others. In today's world of Covid, racism, political polarization escalating into hatred and violence, federal executions—to all of this, Jesus speaks! His words and example should guide and disturb us.
As with the Pharisees, quickness to judge with righteous indignation and malice caused damage and death in our nation’s capital. A pandemic continues to attack the weakest. Legal enforcement continues to carry out the prejudicial attitudes deep within our culture.
“Jesus wept.” The shortest verse in the Bible has become deeply meaningful in these times. Jesus weeps at the death of his friend Lazarus; he also weeps as he looks over the city of Jerusalem and understands the sin and evil that plague this beloved city. This important verse helps me understand; Jesus knows what we are going through even today. And this verse reminds me that even in the midst of despair, our Lord sees it all and is with us. He longs to heal our withered spirits. He seeks to have us as witnesses to his truth and his love in the face of difficulty, sin and brokenness. This short verse reminds me that Jesus wants us to see the pain and need of others, even when it makes us cry.
Jesus knew the intentions of those who watched him that day in the temple. He could've healed this man the next day, but he didn't wait. Now was the time to heal, to love, and to witness to the Father’s will. What does our Lord want for us today, in our own now? How shall we watch and hear his call to us? May our response be grounded in his promise to be with us always, “even to the end of the age.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give us the courage and compassion to see as you see and love as you have loved. Amen
Ed Mitchell