October 16, 2024
by Maureen McCann Waldron
Creighton University - retired
click here for photo and information about the writer

Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 469

Galatians 5:18-25
Psalms 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
Luke 11:42-46

Praying Ordinary Time

Have you ever been in a difficult conversation?  The kind where we are angry, really annoyed at the other person and can barely hold our temper?  I remember times when a sudden sense of peace has come over me and I realize I don’t hate this other person, we just have different points of view.

Later when I reflect on what happened, I recognize that I had some help in calming down.  I am not a patient person and to feel a wash of peace and gentleness in the middle of this situation reminds me that the Holy Spirit has warmed me with holy assistance.

Today’s first reading from Galatians reminds us that the gifts of the Spirit are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

We can read through that list slowly and say each word aloud.

Love.   Patience.  Gentleness.

Today we can ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to these incredible graces and be grateful that God wants to give us these attitudes and ways of dealing with people and our own selves.  These are graces that we can share with others, spreading that joy.

I might look around and ask myself who in my life needs extra kindness from me?  Where can I spread those gifts by being patient with a family member I find especially tiresome?  I might stop for conversation with someone who needs patience from me. Perhaps I can take a deep breath for self-control when the most annoying co-worker wants to butt heads in a meeting.

Gentleness.  That is one I don’t think of often and it is a gift I don’t look for, especially towards myself. I once had a friend ask me where the scolding voice in my head comes from.  I was startled to realize that I am often impatient or disappointed in myself.  If I take time to pray with that, I can see that scolding is never the voice God uses to speak to me.  The Spirit speaks gently and lovingly, not at all the tone I sometimes hear in my own head.

Today we ask the Holy Spirit to help us reflect on and savor each one of those gifts in a special way. 

Spirit of wisdom and gentleness, thank you for being in my heart today, offering me what I don’t always realize I need.  Be with me as I prepare to meet the world, and myself. Remind me of the joy, love and peace you offer me, and help me to spread your great gifts in each hour of my day.

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