Reflection
Among the possible themes in today’s readings, I’m drawn to reflecting on the price we pay when we take our faith for granted. Jeremiah identifies the price as undermining faithfulness. God laments that His people have turned their backs to Him instead of their faces. What price do we pay, what price does a church or a nation pay, when turned to something other than God’s love?
In the Gospel verse, the Prophet Joel gives voice to God pursuing us tirelessly, calling for our return to Him; a God who is “gracious and merciful”. God does not punish us. He knows we punish ourselves when our hearts grow unfaithful and cold.
Love made us for Itself and for one another.
Luke dramatically illustrates the blind, cold heart that afflicts the unfaithful. Christ performs a miracle, and some people react with only amazement while others actually see something demonic at work. Are we ever simply amazed when we should be in awe and moved to gratitude? Could it ever happen that we fail to recognize, or even misconstrue, someone’s faithful acts of love because we ourselves have forgotten the intimate connection between love and day-to-day faithfulness?
Prayer
Lord, please help us with Your grace to remain faithful each day to our baptismal vows and never lose our sense of wonder at Your love for us. When we fail, please in Your gracious mercy help us recognize and admit to You that failure, trusting in Your love revealed to us in Your Son, our Lord.
Eleanor and Peter Tumulty, Professor of Philosophy
First Reading: Jeremiah 7:23-28
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9Gospel: Luke 11:14-23
Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website
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