Daily Reflection for Friday, October 25, 2019
| Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners! We encourage you to reflect on Friday’s readings at this link: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/102519.cfm If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are: First Reading: Romans 7: 18-25A Responsorial: Psalm 119: 66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94 Gospel: Luke 12: 54-59 Our reflection on Friday’s readings: “The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want…. Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 7: 18b-19, 24. Ouch! Snap! Why does Scripture so frequently need to be talking to me? This evening I began this reflection, like I always do, by actually reading the Scripture readings. Okay, I agree…that’s the least I could do before writing a reflection. Sometimes I read the Scripture readings, and nothing jumps out at me. Not tonight. St. Paul may have been writing to the Christian community in Rome, but he sure spoke to me. I know what I’m supposed to do. Lord, you have told me through the beatitudes, the commandments, the parables, and other scripture readings what you want me to do. Love you. Love my neighbor. Work for peace. Be humble. Show mercy. Seek justice. I really feel good when I’m following that direction. And yet, daily, hourly, and even moment-to-moment I don’t do the good you and I want me to do. I judge too quickly; I laugh at the joke; I allow the racist/homophobic/misogynist/Islamophobic… comment to go unchecked; I say yes to the next drink; I rationalize my lifestyle and abuse of the environment; I don’t act when I know I should. And on and on. Decades ago, I heard the phrase: “The church is full of willing people. Twenty percent are willing to work, and eighty percent are willing to let them.” Lord, you have told me what to do. Please, while I still have this mortal body, let me not only follow your commandments, but help me to be an example of how to love you and to love others. Always. Without exception. Regardless of the situation. Peace and blessings, Al Mytty |