Daily Reflections

Wednesday of the 25th week in Ordinary Time
[451] Proverbs 30:5-9
Psalm 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163
Luke 9:1-6

“GIVE ME ONLY YOUR LOVE AND YOUR GRACE”

These words from the St. Louis Jesuits’ song, Take Lord, Receive are a strong theme in today’s reading. This is one of my favorite songs. I remember singing it at a Jesuit ordination. It is such a powerful sign of appreciation and dependence on God.

To grow in likeness and image of God, a people of compassion, care and peace, we need to take time for ourselves. Our lives are so busy.

What are ways you nourish your Spirit? Do you do this consistently? Is your life so busy that you need to build in more “nourish Spirit” time?

In Proverbs, from the Wisdom literature, we hear a prayer:
“give me neither poverty nor riches,
Provide me only with the food I need.”
As we grow in Wisdom, we realize that one of our most nourishing “foods” is the gift of reflection.

Reflect with me on times you are MOST GRATEFUL FOR and LEAST GRATEFUL FOR:
Your family, your friends; your work; your leisure;
a painful moment; a joyful moment.
Now look at the Blessings you have just named. Be Grateful for the Blessings you have been given.

When Jesus was talking, in Luke, to his apostles, and said:
“take nothing for the journey”
He was well aware that their life experience was precious. That is where we meet God. Being aware of God’s graces and blessings is most important when we are invited to be with another.

I live in a retirement condo building with 275 other wonderful “elders”. When I see one woman and ask her how she is, she consistently says, “Blessed and Grateful”. She has come to know God’s love and grace in her life.

May we all learn to Find God in All Things, an Ignatian value, so we can say the same,
“Blessed and Grateful”.