Oct 23 2020 Reflection
Friday 23 October 2020
First Reading: EPH 4:1-6
Responsorial Psalm:
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
PS 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
Gospel Reading: LK 12:54-59
Today’s Note: Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel Reading:
Jesus said to the crowds,
“When you see a cloud rising in the west
you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does;
and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south
you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is.
You hypocrites!
You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.”
Reflection:
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face. (Psalm Response)
Lord, we want to see your face so that we can gaze on your goodness and holiness and reflect it to the people we encounter each day. And so, in the spirit of today’s readings, we offer you this prayer:
“Lord, we long to live in a manner worthy of the calling you have given us (Ephesians 4:1). We long to walk all our days in humility and gentleness. Let those virtues accompany us as we go about our daily tasks. May we humbly accept correction and, yes, even criticism that seems unwarranted. May we humbly prefer your plans for our day to our own so that we can live and move and have our being in you.
“Lord, we long to bear with each other patiently and in love (Ephesians 4:2).May we do so even when those ‘others’ are too loud, too slow, or too far off on another track. May we patiently wait for you to work miracles in their hearts and minds. May we patiently pray and care for them and assume the best even when we think we see the worst in them. Lord, they dwell on this earth too, so they are yours. Help us to see and believe today that you love all whom you have made.
“Lord, we long to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). You preach peace to those who are far off and those who are near (2:17). Help us to preach it today too, first and foremost by the witness of the peace that fills our hearts and minds. Move us to seek your peace continually, to pursue it, and to follow after it where we sense it.
“Lord, we are one body, a people who live in the hope of our call (Ephesians 4:4). We believe there is one Lord through whom we exist and through whom all things were created. It is you, Lord! You have called us into one faith and one baptism, to know and love and serve you. May we always live in the unity that exists among us, which overcomes all differences and divisions.”
“Lord, help us to be a people who always longs for you. ”
