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The Love that Compels

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Daily Reflections

Daily Scripture, March 23, 2023

Scripture:

Exodus 32:7-14
John 5:31-47

Reflection:

“…you search the scriptures…yet you refuse to come to me…”

This passage seems to be a bit meandering…circling around…traversing.  Where are we supposed to land?  Why is it important to hear this in Lent?  Scriptures…witnesses…John the Baptist…Moses…God…

Jesus was right in their midst – in the flesh!!!  The Scriptures that they were so steeped in pointed to his coming…John the Baptist walked ahead and pointed the way…and yet they didn’t believe he could be from God – they could see him, hear him, touch him – they could interact with him and yet they didn’t recognize him for who he was.  How could this be, what got in their way?

It seems rather incredulous to us, how could they not – we would give anything to walk with the Lord – in the flesh!!  Or would we?  Maybe a better question is do we?  Jesus continues to call us, his presence is real among and within us – do we notice, do we trust?  Pride, fear and hardness of heart kept the people of his day from truly being present to him and allowing him to change their hearts of stone.  Sometimes those same things keep us from getting to close to him, from trusting him, and allowing him to change our hearts of stone. 

Are the Scriptures simply a book of stories for us, or is the Word alive for us?  Do we allow those words to draw us into a deeper relationship with the risen Lord? 

This Lent, as every Lent, we are invited to journey a bit closer to the Lord, to open our hearts anew to the challenge of responding as disciples.  Can we really let God love us?  If we do, we can’t help but be changed – and change is never easy – but Jesus is among us today – disguised as the stranger, do we allow the scriptures to expand our vision and our heart – or are they simply stories – we know them, we memorize them – but we only pick them up on occasion – are we afraid of the love they call us to? 

Maybe we should have a conversation with the Lord about our fears and step into a new awareness these last days of Lent.

Faith Offman is the Associate Director of Ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Daily Scripture, February 21, 2023

Feast of St. Peter Damian Scripture: Sirach 2:1-11Mark9:30-37 Reflection: Historically this day was called Fat, Shrove or pancake Tuesday.  The word Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday and is most frequently » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 20, 2023

Scripture: Sirach 1: 1-10Mark 9: 14-29 Reflection: In our Gospel today we hear a remarkable, deeply human love story.  It is about a parent, in this case a father, who » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 19, 2023

Scripture: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-181 Corinthians 3:16-3Matthew 5:38-48 Reflection: So be perfect! Perfect is defined one way to be absolute; complete (used for emphasis). Today we hear Jesus telling his disciples, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 18, 2023

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-7Mark 9:2-13 Reflection: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” (Mark 9:6) The readings for today’s mass present us with a moving sermon on the nature of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 17, 2023

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9Mark 8:34-9:1 Reflection: Sometimes what seems the best and most promising path to take reaps consequences utterly different than we anticipated. And sometimes the path we initially want » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 16, 2023

Scripture: Genesis 9:1-13Mark 8:27-33 Reflection: There is nothing quite as striking or stunning as a rainbow after a deluge of rain that brings life to a standstill. Even while dark » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 15, 2023

Scripture: Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22Mark 8:22-26 Reflection: I still find myself navigating a post-pandemic world. Still taking in the shock of what was so deeply lost. But also so aware, maybe » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 14, 2023

Scripture: Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10Mark 8:14-21 Reflection: Recently I heard a recording from a Fr. Richard Rohr presentation called the “Beginners Mind”. It reminded me of how a child reacts » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 13, 2023

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-15, 25Mark 8:11-13 Reflection: Today, we pick up the story in Mark’s Gospel following Jesus’ feeding of the four thousand (8:1-9). These four verses connect to a bigger » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 12, 2023

Scripture: Sirach 15:15-201 Corinthians 2:6-10Matthew 5:17-37 Reflection: To attempt to pull together the message of the Word today, we are seeing the contrast between a mentality that asks “What must » Continue Reading.

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