Daily Reflection for Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Peace and blessing, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/102021.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First reading: Romans 6: 12-18
Responsorial: Psalm 124: 1-8
Gospel: Luke 12: 39-48
Our reflection on Wednesday's reading:
You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. Luke 12:40
Well! So much for those who predict the “final days.” No matter who we are, we cannot know the day of Jesus’ return.
I do not regard today’s scripture as a threat (i.e., “You better watch out!”) Rather I hear an invitation into awareness and a life in Christ that can only bless us and others.
Earlier this month, one of our reflection writers, Andra Liepa, asked a powerful question? “What if we lived each moment as if the ‘Day of the Lord’ were here?” This made me wonder how such a living would affect our priorities and values.
There is an Indiana singer who asked a similar question in one of her songs. Carrie Newcomer performs a wonderful song called, If Not Now. Click here to listen. In the first line of the lyrics, “If not now, tell me when?” Newcomer challenges us to step out of the unconsciousness of sometime, someday, and step into the now of living our lives in awareness and intention.
Jesus has not come to scare us into loving the Father; he has not come to intimidate us into living lives driven by fear. Jesus has come to show us the depths of our creator’s love and longing for goodness in our lives. It is not fear, but freedom rooted in grace, and love that is offered to us in the gospel.
Prayer: Lord, awaken us each day to the gift of life you offer. Deliver us from fear that dulls our awareness and bless us with the courage to live fully, trusting in you. Amen
Ed Mitchell