Wednesday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

Can a mother forget her infant…?  Even should she forget, I will never forget you. Isaiah 49:15

What a tremendous blessing is a parent’s love.  As the reflection of God’s boundless love for each of us, it gives us the confidence and capacity to seek intimacy with others and with God.

However many times I was scolded or admonished as a child for doing something wrong or potentially harmful to myself or others, I never doubted that my parents love remained steadfast.  Even when my behavior led to punishment, forgiveness followed.  There seemed to be nothing I could do so separate myself from the love of my parents. 

My mother died in October 2021.  While she remains in my heart and my daily thoughts, it is God now—the Father, Son and Holy Spirit—who continues to call me.  “Come out!” “Show yourself!”  Like a loving parent, God is there to call us out when we succumb to sin and guide us forward with redemptive love.

Prayer

Lord God, we thank You for Your guiding hand and forgiveness when we make mistakes.  Shower us with Your constant grace, that we may we always seek to do Your will and to forgive those who have offended us.  Do not allow us to succumb to temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Rick Cote, ’89

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 49:8-15

Psalm 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18

Gospel: John 5:17-30

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website