Daily Reflection for Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Tuesday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092022.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13
Responsorial: Psalm 119:1, 27, 30, 34-35, 44
Gospel: Luke 8:19-21
Our reflection on Tuesday’s readings:
My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it. Luke 8:19-21
Warm, loving families have always attracted me. When I was a child, I enjoyed spending time with the Italian families of two classmates. Those families were colorful, engaging, and boisterous—an appealing contrast to my own more cool and detached Irish family. I always felt welcomed into those families. In later years, I realized what a blessing it is to be welcomed into others’ families—as a friend, a godparent, an in-law—however it happens. My human yearning for acceptance, closeness, and love finds satisfaction there.
In today’s gospel we are invited into a family--God’s family. What an overwhelming realization that God should take the initiative to seek us out and want to draw us into God’s own family! God doesn’t need me in His family, but God wants me in His family. That’s a precious invitation that I don’t treat with nearly the care that it deserves. Why not? Maybe because the invitation comes with an obligation.
Jesus explains that the invitation calls for more than words of acceptance. Accepting Jesus’ invitation calls for action—hearing the word of God and acting on it. Professing our faith is good; acting on it is essential. It’s a necessary condition for joining Jesus’ family.
Being one family is what God wants for His world and His people. God sees us as brothers and sisters. Joining God’s family requires me to see us in just that same way. I can no longer turn a blind eye to the sufferings and injustices that mar the lives of my brothers and sisters. Just like in any human family, I cannot remain indifferent while claiming to be a good member of the family.
In the last years of her long life my dear mother-in-law used to say, “When I see something I need to do, I do it right away before I forget.” There was wisdom there. God expects me to be on the look-out and to take whatever action is in my power to care for others’ needs.
Today may we joyfully say “yes” to Jesus’ invitation to be faithful members of His family. By volunteering to assist at a parish funeral today, I met a sister I didn’t know I had!
Wishing you God’s blessings,
Jean Galanti