A Jesuit Catholic University
in Omaha, Nebraska, since 1878

[519] Acts 22:3-16 Ps 117:1bc, 2 Mark 16:15-18

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

A mentor once repeated the quote from Francis of Assisi to me: “preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words”. Today’s reading from Mark reminds me of this lesson. It is extremely easy, for me, to preach the Gospel using my words. Words are easy to formulate and roll off the tongue. Words can be spit out with no action prior or after them. Words are momentarily. Disregarding morals, I have no obligation to abide by my words. Therefore it is easy, for me, to say whatever I desire.

It is much more difficult for me to proclaim the Gospel with solely my actions. My actions are constructed according to what and/or whom my heart belongs to. When my heart belongs to the one I love - Jesus - my actions align with the gospel. But when anger, fear, selfish desires, hurt and/or despair engulf my heart my actions no longer reflect the good news of God’s love for all of humankind. For me, it takes daily, sometimes even minutely, examination of my heart to reflect God’s love through my actions. 

This reflection is short, but my prayer and hope is it captures my stuggles for all to relate and/or learn from. May God bless you and may you continue to "preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words." St. Francis of Assisi