Daily Reflection for Monday, November 09, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Monday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110920.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Ezekiel 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12
Responsorial: Psalm 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3: 9C-11, 16-17
Gospel: John 2:13-22
Our reflection on Monday’s readings:
“You are God’s building . . . each must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can build a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3: 10b-11.
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a reflection on the structure of our lives and how easily it can shift out of line with Jesus’ teachings. I compared it to my painful neck, the result of hours hunched over a sewing machine. It took a lot of work and patience to get my structure back in line.
The reading today from 1 Corinthians reminds us that the structure is built on a foundation--the concrete and rebar that strongly connect the structure to the foundation and support that structure. I imagine workmen following a blueprint to build a strong, secure, balanced structure of studs and rafters, siding, roofing materials, all balanced, connected and secured to the foundation to provide protection, safety, and to withstand winds and storms. What good is all the builders’ efforts above the ground if the foundation supporting the structure is not strong?
What is my foundation? And how is that foundation connected to the actions of my life and the plans I have for my life? I can think that my structure is strong, well thought out with a good blueprint and ready to deal with the storms of life. But the blueprint doesn’t guarantee the quality of the workmanship and the connection of the foundation to the structure.
Building a Godly life is hard. I don’t often get it right the first time. I frequently mess up, thinking I know how to build the next level. It does not take long though to realize I have to go back to the foundation Jesus gave me and reconnect to that foundation. Sometimes I even need to tear down and rebuild a section. But always I need to stay connected to the foundation, and even strengthen that connection. Then I can follow the directions of the blueprint.
Above all, I must trust and have confidence in the foundation, that place deep in my soul that knows it belongs to God. The foundation that existed before my life began and will exist after the building of my life topples.
Blessings to You,
Ruth Mytty