Daily Reflection for Thursday, March 03, 2022
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Thursday's readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030322.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Responsorial: Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
Gospel: Luke 9:22-25
Our reflection on Thursday’s readings:
If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life. (Deuteronomy 30:17)
Oh God of love, daily help me to not contribute to the god of dehumanization that wants us to place our brothers and sisters in categories of left or right, conservative, or liberal, or vaccinated or unvaccinated. During this Lent, keep my focus on you God so that I may see only through your eyes of love and see all people as children of God.
Oh God of nonviolence, daily help me to work through the anger I feel towards others especially those that I do not understand. Help me focus on you God of love and not turn to the god of violence so that my anger does not transform into hate and disdain. Help me to have the ears to listen to others with different points of views. During this Lent, keep my focus on you God so that I may be guided to choose the path of nonviolence and peace.
Oh God of mercy, let me turn to you when I feel rejected and hurt by those I love. Help me to lean into authentic forgiveness so I can let go of resentment that only pleases the god of “open wounds.” During this Lent, keep my focus on you God so that I may act with mercy and walk with the cane of forgiveness as my support.
Oh God of justice, let me turn to you with strength as I witness others being treated unjustly. Help me to steer away from the god of “toxic silence.” Help me to move into the sacred silence that only You can provide so that I may move into action with wisdom and strength. During this Lent, keep my focus on you God so that I may work for justice out of a place of love of neighbor and not out of a place of hate for “the other.”
Oh God of grace, guide my eyes, ears, mouth, mind, heart and all of me towards you this Lent. May I have the strength to keep focus on your love.
May your focus this Lent be on the one true God of love and forgiveness,
Margarita Solis Deal