Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
Scripture:
Jeremiah 7:23-28
Luke 11:14-23
Reflection:
"…the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed." Luke 11:14
Strange things are happening these days. People are beginning to trust their intuition, their inner sense of God, speaking up and being heard. Why just the other day, the great state of Mississippi spoke up and ratified the 13th Amendment to the U.S Constitution. All of a sudden we are hearing from the 99 percent, people who have been silent (dumb in today’s scriptural language). Hispanics, the fastest growing demographic in the US are voting as a bloc electing presidents, women are speaking up and more importantly are being heard. It’s amazing!
Using Facebook and Twitter, everyday people are now able to "comment" or "like" what someone else has written or said. They can let the world know what they think. It’s amazing! For example, the other day my cousin posted "Sami’s story" from Youtube on her Facebook page. I "liked" it and because I thought it significant, decided to post it on my Facebook page. From that one post, eight people from all parts of my past responded by "Liking" my post, and four of those wrote and shared their thoughts. It’s amazing! Some think presidential elections are won, when one person speaks up, i.e. Jimmy Carter’s grandson. James Carter IV, overheard remarks by one candidate, and "leaked" those remarks to the Press and those remarks went viral. Ordinary everyday people responded by showing up, voting and being heard. It’s amazing!
If I didn’t know better, I’d think Jesus was walking our streets today. Well, maybe He is, in the person of everyday, ordinary people, like you and me.
"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts". (Today’s Responsorial Psalm refrain)
Dan O’Donnell is a Passionist Partner and a longtime friend of the Passionists. He lives in Chicago.