Daily Reflection for Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners!
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111120.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Titus 3:1-7
Responsorial: Psalm 23:1b-6
Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” Luke 17:19
I can only hope to hear the above words from Luke’s Gospel when I stand before our Lord at the entrance to eternal life. It is very similar to the quote from Matthew 25:23 “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
How many times throughout my life have I chosen to lean into faith first? I suspect the record may show I primarily start first with my own course or direction and often find myself short. I then realize that a better place to begin would be with prayer. Thank goodness our God understands our humanness and appreciates our conversations with Him.
The feast day we celebrate today, the Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop, is one of a Roman guard, converted to monk living in the 3rd century. History reveals that he did not seek to be made bishop but had to be baited into traveling to the region where this office could be bestowed upon him.
Saint Martin of Tours acted out of faith. The story of using his sword to cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar is one that shaped his ministry. God worked through him. His action to share his cloak continues in many forms today as a sign of God’s presence in our lives. Might not the small acts of kindness each of us choose daily also be a sign of God’s presence in our world? Of course, not all our steps of faithful action will be recognized in this world, but I believe they are always recognized by God.
Jesus’ recognition of the healed leper’s faith speaks to me today. It reminds me to begin with simple, expressed gratitude for all the gifts I receive daily in faithful recognition of the giver of the gifts. Taking the time to be grateful in faith is life changing. Perhaps it has the power to be world changing.
How might we recognize and live our faith today?
In Heartfelt Joy,
Lynne Brennan