Daily Reflection for Wednesday, July 27 2022
Peace and Blessings, Friends, and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072722.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21
Responsorial: Psalm 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18
Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
“If you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be my mouthpiece.” Jeremiah 15:19
I find the first reading today humorous. Jeremiah is complaining to God that people do not like him. He states the case that he does not borrow or lend. He does not celebrate with others. He devours the scriptures and sets himself aside as a man of God. Then, he blames God for filling him with indignation. He thinks he deserves to be respected and revered. He set himself apart.
Who would want to spend time with such a self-satisfied, judgmental, man? Not I.
God answers Jeremiah’s pleas with “Repent (humble yourself) so that I may restore (adjust your vision) so that you will stand in my presence (be a man of God).
Then God says, “If you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be my mouthpiece.” God recognizes that Jeremiah is going through the faithful motions of a man of God, but he lacks the humility needed to “be” a man of God.
As a Christian, am I a mouthpiece for God? Do my actions and words convey God’s message? That is a tremendous responsibility. It is humbling to be a communicator for one so great. We must stay focused on God to understand the intent and purity of the message we are conveying.
If I became mute and Al became my mouthpiece, you can bet I would be very aware of every word, every intention, every tone he utters on my behalf. Al would need to know me and my nature. He would need to stay focused on what I want communicated in every situation. If, as my representative, Al let his beliefs, emotions, and feelings get in the way of my message to others, I would not be happy with him. If his words were unkind, untrue, angry, profane or for his own gain, I would fire him as my mouthpiece.
Let us remain humble so that God may adjust our vision and others may feel a bit of God’s loving message when they interact with us. Let us deliver God’s precious words so that others and the world can be healed.
Blessings to you,
Ruth Mytty