Daily Reflection for Friday, March 19, 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/031921.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-24, 16
Psalms 89:2-5, 27, 29
Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24
Our reflection on Friday’s reading:
“For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all descendants…” Romans 4:16
A common thread through all of the readings today is that of an unwavering faith in God. God will take care of His people, love them, provide for them, and forgive them when they sin. Biblical titans such as Abraham and Sarah, King David, Joseph (father of Jesus), Saint Paul, and Jesus demonstrate their faith in God by doing what is asked of them. They have put their trust in God and demonstrate with their actions, their faith in God.
I believe that all that is required of me is to have faith that God has kept his promise through Jesus and now my Christian duty is to propagate this faith to others through works and deeds and love. For my mom’s 98th birthday, I asked siblings, grand-children, great-grand-children, and cousins to send my mom short video clips with two questions in mind. What do you most appreciate about mom? What were some favorite memories of mom?
Videos started pouring in with stories of wisdom, warmth, family fun, and faith. What is remarkable is that the stories that credited mom with propagating an unwavering faith in Jesus made these readings take on new meaning for me. Grandkids that did sleepovers at the farm with Grandma and Grandpa and saw mom and dad praying and reading the bible in the morning when they woke up had an impact on their spiritual life today. One grandson said, “not only are you my biological grandma but you are my spiritual grandma as well”.
Mom’s oldest great-grand-daughter sent an especially beautiful tribute for Mom's birthday. She talked about the beauty of faith being passed through five generations and her hope to instill similar values into her children and beyond. As I listened to her heartfelt, grateful message I reflected on my responsibility to propagate the faith to my children and grandchildren. I must say I have some work to do!
Discover your unwavering faith in Jesus this Lent. How is it that you demonstrate that faith to others?
Peace to you,
Paul Gunn