Thursday of the Second Week

Reflection

I enjoy gardening, and in the winter I take great pleasure in nurturing the different plants in my house, all of which carry on quite well, sitting in the windows, despite the winter’s cold, white world on the other side of the glass.

When I read these two Scripture passages, I think of the different plants I have growing in the winter—those with shallow roots, those with deep roots, those that require lots of water, and attention and certain kinds of light, and those that require little more than a quick drip of water now and again and will thrive no matter where in the house I place them.

Those strong, hardy plants, like the tree planted by the stream, draw their strength from a deep source. Their roots are deep, their centers are strong, and they thrive in all kinds of conditions. These Scriptures are a reminder that the soul draws strength, conviction and peace not from what is around us at the surface, but from the Divine, which is the source of the most deep, persistent and constant strength, conviction and peace we can find.

Prayer
Gracious and loving God, remind us that so much of what we hunger and thirst for is not to be found by looking around us in the world, but within us when we seek You out, and ask for Your presence, Your guidance, and Your strength.

Caroline Crawford, Office of Marketing and Communication

Scripture

First Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10

Psalm 1:1-4, 6

Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website