Daily Reflection for Wednesday, September 01, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090121.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Colossians 1: 1-8
Responsorial: Psalm 52: 10, 11
Gospel: Luke 4: 38-44
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
“At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.” Luke 4: 42a
I really treasure when my family is together. Since we live in separate cities, planning is required to come together. Upon the arrival of our grandchildren, the surroundings quickly transform from peaceful silence to laughter, disagreements, and requests ricocheting around us. The pace is quick, and the demands are constant. After a few days, I am both exhausted and joyful at the same time!
I could sense this same pace in the Gospel today. Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law. Then more people come bringing their sick loved ones for healing. Following these healings, Jesus is exhausted and models what to do. He leaves and goes to a deserted place, providing a space for rest and connection with his Father.
There is a rhythm to many aspects of our lives and this rhythm involves spaces. Spaces between words make it easier to read a sentence. The rests in music bring together the notes in a special way creating a musical piece rather than just noise. The space that Jesus models with his Father allows each person to intersect with the world around them with minds that are revitalized, open and patient instead of exhausted, closed, and critical. It allows our interactions throughout our day to come together as a beautiful refrain in the greater composition of life.
There are a variety of ways of resting in the Lord. When I rest in the Lord, I plug into the Holy Spirit by reading the scripture for the day and reflecting on its meaning in my life. Writing my reflection is also an important part of my rest as it helps me make connections. When my normal rhythm changes, as it does when the grandchildren are visiting, finding the space for rest in general let alone resting with the Lord is difficult. However, I need this time, so I don’t feel and act cranky.
As I have searched and prayed for solutions to this situation, I have found that it is easy to include the older grandchildren in my daily scripture reading because they enjoy reading. I have not found that same success with the younger ones. In preparation for our next visit, I need to ask God for some help in including the younger grandkids and I need to get better at asking for adult help so I can get that space to rest. Once I rest in the Lord, peace penetrates my mind and flows through my body. Then I am rejuvenated and ready to go.
How do you find the space to rest with the Lord? What does rest with the Lord look like for you?
Blessings for the journey!
Paula Paul