Daily Reflection for Thursday, September 17, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Thursday's readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091720.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11
Responsorial: Psalm 118:1B-2, 16AB-17, 28
Gospel: Luke 7:36-50
Our reflection on Thursday’s readings:
Not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10
The readings today help me lean into the mystery of God’s presence in my life. In today’s gospel Jesus uses story to try to convey his message to the Pharisees, a way of expression he used over and over again. The Pharisees just witnessed a scandal. They witnessed Jesus demonstrating radical forgiveness and love and they were not pleased.
The Pharisees did not see Jesus’ act as one that was filled with compassion. Filled with judgement and resentment in their hearts, they wanted to blame Jesus for interacting with a sinner in such an intimate way. They could not see Jesus displaying profound love but only judged Jesus based on their misguided expectations.
I know this story all too well. Oh, how I have judged those that behaved in a way that was totally opposite of the way I thought they should be acting. It just takes one act and my judgement begins. Not only does the judgement happen in my thoughts but I also have to let someone else know my side of the story. I have to share how disappointed I was in the behavior by the person who “should have known better.” The toxicity spreads to all who know my side of the story and at the end of the day I am washed with shame of how I handled the situation in the first place.
I read the scripture passage, “not, I, however, but the grace of God that is with me” and find strength. It is only by the grace of God that is within me that I can be in a position to forgive and to act worthy of my faith and beliefs. If I leave it to my own devices, I will fall short. The intent here is not to accept the wrongs done against me but to seek God’s grace for guidance and wisdom. Perhaps in this way the response comes from a place of love versus a place of resentment.
May God’s grace within you be your guiding wisdom today,
Margarita Solis Deal