Daily Reflection for Thursday, June 23, 2022
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Thursday’s readings at this link: CLICK HERE
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10
Responsorial: Psalm 71:1-6, 15ab, & 17
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:8-12
Gospel: Luke 1:5-17
Our Reflection on Thursday’s Reading:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” Jeremiah 1:4
Going off to college was one of the most pivotal points in my life. I was leaving my family, friends and hometown to start the next chapter in my life. One of the biggest struggles that I encountered in those first few months away was finding real and honest connections. I was meeting loads of new people, trying new things, and having a lot of fun. Yet when things calmed down and I was by myself, I often felt lost. These new experiences seemed somewhat hollow and sometimes even trivial. I realized then probably for the first time that what I crave and need in my life are people with whom I can be fully present and open. I wanted real friendships where I could be myself and let my guard down. Where I could be completely honest about what I was feeling and who I am. I found those friendships and connections and those men and women are still important and dear to me.
Yet even now all these years later with these amazing friends and my wonderful family, I often feel that I am not understood or that people do not know the real me. I bet I am not alone on this. We all occasionally feel misunderstood or unrecognized even with those closest to us. Sometimes I even wonder how well I really know myself. How often do I hide things from myself? Evidently, I am not alone here either. People spend loads of time trying to get to “know themselves” and there are entire industries to help us know and understand ourselves better. Maybe that’s why it amazes me that God is the one that truly knows us and has always known the real me. There is no need for pretension or hiding the aspects of my life that I find embarrassing or shameful with God. God knows all the things that I am sometimes even afraid to admit to myself…and He still loves me.
Not only does God know and love us, but He has dedicated and appointed us. We are prophets, messengers of His will, destined to demolish that which He finds unworthy and build up His kingdom. Even though I sometimes question what His will is for me and am unsure where to turn, God knows me and will be my strength on my journey as I seek to fulfill His will.
It's so beautiful and comforting to me to know that there is someone in my corner at all times. Someone who knows me more fully and completely than I know myself. I don’t need to explain myself or leave out the embarrassing bits. God knows our truest desires and sees the goodness in us rather than focusing on the faults.
Today may you rejoice knowing that our God, the creator of the universe and all life, truly knows us and loves us. Even as we struggle to understand ourselves, He knows us and is there with us as we walk through this world.
Peace and blessings,
Pete Kuester