Daily Reflection for Thursday, October 10, 2019
| Peace and Blessings, friends and parishioners! We encourage you to reflect on Thursday’s readings at this link: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/101019.cfm If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are: First Reading: Malachi 3:13-20b Responsorial: Psalm1:1-4 and 6 Gospel: Luke 11:5-13 Our reflection on Thursday’s readings: For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:9 I had a chance to study my nieces and nephews over some shared time spent this summer. The stark differences in each one’s search for and acceptance of parental direction never failed to entertain. Some clung close to their parents relying on them for everything, upset and disturbed when they weren’t in parental contact. Others were much more independent often shunning parental warnings, suggestions, or offers to help. Those who clung rarely suffered given that their needs were made known and fulfilled while those that pressed their own agenda didn’t always enjoy time without tears, injury, or sadness from consequences. The obvious truth is that there can be considerable discomfort and vulnerability in an ask (for anything.) Maybe it’s rooted in our desire to be self-sufficient. This is, after all, a quality instilled since childhood with constant societal reinforcement. Maybe, though, as outlined by Fr. Perquin in today’s Magnificat Meditation of the Day, the notion of asking and searching (i.e. prayer) forces an awareness of our dependence. And only by submitting to this dependence will we be able to fully appreciate the depth of His indefatigable mercy. We are always the rate-limiting step in the equation that is our relationship with God. He is always visible and always available. As such, our invitation is to see Him and avail ourselves of his outstretched hand. We can either cling to it or walk along without it. The consequences for either choice are no different than those observed for my nieces/nephews. He wants to give us nothing less than Himself and yearns for nothing more than for us to identify and lean into the awareness of the void that only He can fill. How much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” Luke 11:13 Rafael Rosario |