Daily Reflection for Thursday, July 30, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners
We encourage you to reflect on Thursday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/073020.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-6
Responsorial: Psalm 146:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6AB
Gospel: Matthew 13:47-53
Our reflection on Thursday’s readings:
Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand… Jeremiah 18:6
It is a lovely thought to picture one’s self in the careful loving hands of the LORD. It is comforting to imagine being like soft and yielding clay in his hands as he shapes us more and more into his image.
But am I clay in the hand of the Potter, soft and yielding, or am I stone? Do I surrender control of my circumstances to the LORD or am I struggling to control them myself? Do I submit to the way in which he touches my life, or do I resent and resist his discipline?
In my case and maybe in yours, the answer varies.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to foster my three youngest grandchildren. However, at the time it didn't seem like an opportunity but a big inconvenience. I was happy in my retirement, free to pursue activities and content to take life easy. Unfortunately, my youngest son and his wife were having domestic issues which resulted in the authorities removing the children from their home.
After a very intrusive and hurried approval process (including drug tests, background checks, fingerprinting and an inspection of our pantry to make sure we had food in the house) the three little children were placed with my husband and me. This Gang of Three included Sariah, age 5, Phillip, age 4 and Kyrah, age 2 months.
Confronted with this unexpected disruption of my peaceful retirement, I thought my life was over. Afterall, I was in my late sixties and hadn’t dealt with little children on a regular, in-home basis for 15+ years. Instead of inward acceptance and submission to the Holy Spirit, I harassed Him with protests. My bad attitude obscured the truth that “… all things work together for good to those who loved the Lord and are the called according to His purpose.” My lack of submission made me like stone.
Eventually we settled into a routine of school conferences, doctor’s visits, birthday parties and all the other things that at first seemed like burdensome obligations. As time passed, the negatives sometimes turned into wonderful positives: We shared Sariah’s first school experience. Ralph taught Phillip to ride a bike. We watched Kyrah progress from army-crawl to her first steps. By the time they returned to their parents, I was sad to see them go. Over time, my prayers of protest changed to prayers of thanksgiving.
My Christian journey has been long and diverse. Sometimes I have been clay and sometimes I have been stone. The good news for us all is that no matter in what state we may be, God is a patient and faithful Craftsman who, having begun a good work in us, will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Clay or Stone? In which state do you find yourself today?
Peace be with you always, my friends!
Melissa Kittrell