Daily Reflection for Thursday January 21, 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/012121.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Hebrews 7:25—8:6
Responsorial: Psalm 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17
Gospel: Mark 3:7-12
Our reflection on Thursday’s readings:
Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him . . . Mark 3:8
In the Gospel reading we hear that Jesus heals. This news of Jesus’ healing is getting out to towns and cities around Galilee. People are hearing this hopeful news and are starting to follow him. Jesus is very aware of the movement of this energy. The people are so in need of healing that they start to follow Jesus who they have come to know mostly by the hopeful stories shared to them by neighbors and friends. People desiring healing, both physically and spiritually, look to Jesus with hopeful and needy eyes.
I think about this crowd of people and imagine myself inside this Gospel story. I can see myself being attracted to this energy and curious if the stories are true. I can also see myself inviting others to come with me to get a glimpse of Jesus. Depending on the nature of the hike to make it to Jesus, I wonder if my motivation would sustain the journey. I wonder if doubt and despair would set in or if I would continue in faith and hope on the way to see Jesus.
As I reflect using my imagination, I am made aware that the journey to see Jesus for many of us is one that starts out with great intention and pure heart because it comes from our original goodness. Yet on the hike towards Jesus doubt, disease, temptation, grief and despair want to find a home in our hearts, minds, and bodies—all of this blocking us from remembering our original intent and our original goodness.
I am starting to view these barriers as companions on the journey. They are not typical guests I would invite into my home but they come anyway. And if I had a choice, I would rather not companion with them. However, I am realizing that these unwanted guests have much to teach me. Also, I am realizing that I cannot greet these unwanted guests by myself anymore. I’m taking God with me as I remember myself back home to original goodness.
May you know God is always with you on the journey,
Margarita Solis Deal