Daily Reflection for Friday January 29, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Friday's readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012921.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Hebrews 10:32-39
Responsorial: Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40
Gospel: Mark 4:26-34
Our reflection on Friday’s readings:
“...We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life...” Hebrews 10:39
A week ago Wednesday, I received a text from my cousin Sandra that her Mom, my Aunt Cecilia, moved to a hospice in Florida. Late afternoon Saturday, I was invited to join their vigil with my Aunt Cecilia and my cousin Denny at her bedside via Zoom with cousins in Chicago, Columbus, OH, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and me in Indiana. My mother's family is Eastern Orthodox with roots in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. But knowing that I am a Catholic Deacon, they asked me to lead prayers. We spent the evening until late, praying, singing, and sharing our love to Aunt Cecilia.
On Sunday morning, she passed on at sunrise, and they called me to join a new Zoom call and lead a formal prayer service. Lucky for me, I have the Order of Christian Funerals Rite book that includes the Prayers After Death for the deceased rite. I was also sent a few Eastern Orthodox prayers to lead. I was honored to be asked to lead the service and grateful that the Lord blessed us in prayer. My cousin shared that she was at peace after the prayer service. How awesome it is that we share our faith in Christ and His promise of eternal life.
The scripture readings comforted all of us. In today's reading from Hebrews, we are reminded that we know we have a better and lasting possession in Christ. Bible scholars tell us that the author of Hebrews pulls from Isaiah and Habakkuk in verses 37 and 38, bringing ageless continuity to the message, which is both comforting and reassuring. For all the faithful and especially for my cousins during my Aunt's passing, Hebrews 39 is the promise of eternal life that brings us joy even amid loss and sorrow.
I pray that you will be among those who have faith and possess eternal life.
Love and Blessings,
Deacon John McShea