Scripture:
Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a
Matthew 10:1-7
Reflection:
Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness. -Matthew 10:1
I can’t imagine throwing my brother under the bus or as the story goes in Genesis, into the well. But I certainly can and I’m afraid must admit, I often do throw those who think differently than me there, especially if they are rich or in some way more favored in terms of this world’s values and goods. “They deserve to be there”, or so I think. I also can’t imagine living through a famine.
Famine, or a lack of food has never been a concern of mine. I’ve been truly blessed. I’ve heard it said that the earth produces plenty of food for even our population of seven plus billion, but contrary to that, everyday it seems, I hear of people starving or moving whether being forced or freely choosing in search of food. My own grandparents moved to the United States from Ireland in search of food and housing security. I’m tempted to think there is nothing I can do about these world problems, but I know better. Mahatma Gandhi said: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
Since COVID-19, I’ve begun grinding my own flour and making bread. I haven’t perfected using the whole wheat berry making bread yet, but I do love the cream of wheat I make from the whole ground wheat berry. I simply heat a cup of milk and a tablespoon of butter, mix in the freshly ground wheat, and when it’s thickened add a little maple syrup for what has become my favorite breakfast.
God thank you for the gift of living today. Please give me the authority over the unclean spirits of thinking I’m better than anyone and wanting to throw them under the bus. Help me also realize that I can do something, no matter how inane it may seem, to address the challenges in our world today.
Dan O’Donnell is a Passionist Partner and a longtime friend of the Passionists. He lives in Chicago.