Daily Reflection for Thursday, September 19, 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/091919.cfm If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are: First Reading: 1 Timothy 4:12-16 Responsorial:Psalm 111:7-8, 9, 10 Gospel: Luke 7:36-50 Our reflection on Thursday’s readings: “Tell me teacher” (Luke 7: 40) I have had many mentors in my lifetime. I would say I am pretty blessed to have had these teachers who have helped in molding me into the person I am today; a person whose transformation is still ongoing and still needs a lot of molding. In today’s Gospel reading, Simon is struck by Jesus’ radical hospitality. A hospitality that comes from a depth of grace and love. Simon did not understand this way of welcoming. He first thought it strange that Jesus would let “such” a sinner into his own home. Secondly, Simon must have felt that it was odd that Jesus’ way of welcoming would teach him, a Pharisee, a lesson that would transform him. The passage that struck me today was when Simon says to Jesus, “tell me teacher”. I am not sure what was going through his thoughts at that time. However, there seemed to be a small opening and a gap that widened for Simon to be open to Jesus’ teachings. Tell me teacher; what an insightful way to start the day to all the teachers in our lifetime that are showing us a glimpse of God’s love and mercy. Tell me teacher opens the door to learning, to transformation and to spiritual growth. I will use this today as my guiding mantra; tell me teacher. Perhaps this way I remain open to God’s love versus resisting it. Tell me teacher; I will listen. May you listen to the teachers that surround you today, Margarita Solis-Deal |