Message of the Day
|
Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message.
- Malcolm Muggeridge
(How are some of the recent happenings of your life like parables? What is the message that's coming through?)
|
Readings of the Day
|
1 COR 11:17-26, 33; PS 40:7-8A, 8B-9, 10, 17; LK 2:33-35
R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin offerings you sought
not;
then said I, "Behold I come."
"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!"
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you
And may those who love your salvation
say ever, "The LORD be glorified."
USCCB lectionary
|
Reflection on the Gospel
|
|
"This Child is destined to be the Downfall and the Rise of many in Israel, a Sign that will be opposed - and you yourself
shall be pierced with a sword." -Luke 2:34-35
When hurt, we naturally close ourselves off to the one who hurt us and even to other people as further protection. When Mary, Jesus' mother, was hurt, she did just the opposite, opening herself up to others even more (e.g. Acts 1:14). Therefore, we picture her with her immaculate heart exposed. In fact, when Mary's heart was pierced with the sword of sorrow, she not
only opened her heart but the hearts of others also, so that "the thoughts of many hearts" were laid bare (Lk 2:35).
Mary could do this because she was immaculate, without sin. We also, by repenting of sin, can react to hurt with great openness rather than with the natural reactions of closing up due to unforgiveness, resentment, hatred, anger, manipulation, or fear. A broken heart plus a repentant heart equals an
open heart. A broken heart plus a sinful heart equals a hardened, closed heart. A heart broken by hurts is not the end but the beginning of a process. Both the greatest and worst people in the world became what they are because of suffering broken hearts. Our repentance makes the difference between breaking open or closing up.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for what You can do with a broken heart.
PROMISE: "Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered; and when perfected, He became the Source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him." -Heb 5:8-9
PRAISE: Mary, Jesus' mother, was "filled with the Holy Spirit" and "began to express [herself] in foreign tongues" (Acts 1:14; 2:4).
mycatholic.com
|
Spiritual Reading
|
Freedom from Codependency, by Philip St. Romain
Chapter 6: What is Christian Love?
- part 7 of 12
- What Is Love? -
The word love is used in many contexts. We speak of loving ice cream, being in love with another person, needing to
feel loved, and so forth. Many languages use different words to describe different types of love. In English, however, we use the same word, love, to describe different experiences. This undoubtedly contributes to some confusion. For example, it is common to find people projecting the love their parents had for them onto God -- as though God were some kind of Super-Parent.
What we believe about God is important, for these beliefs color our views of self, others, relationships, the world, and the meaning of life. In reflecting on the meaning of Christian love, we must say from the outset that Scripture equates the nature of God with love. As Scripture puts it, "God is love," and love is as mysterious and beyond definition as God. The statements about love discussed in the previous sections are distortions precisely because they try to
limit love to certain actions, and this cannot be done.
Paperback, Kindle and other eBook options
|
|
|
