Memorial of St. Clare, Virgin
Our first reading today coming from the Book of Deuteronomy almost sounds like God’s litany of favors the Hebrew people have received since their covenant relationship. Why would they need to be reminded? Why do we need to be reminded of all the blessings we’ve received?
The short answer is we human beings have short memories and are easily distracted. The Hebrews of old were reminded time and time again by the prophets that they were God’s chosen people but they forgot and wandered away and developed selective hearing!
But God didn’t give up on the Chosen People. After sending various prophets at last God sent his only Son Jesus for their sake and our sake. Jesus is God’s living word. Even more, through his life, death, and Resurrection God has given us a special gift, namely, the Living Reminder, the Spirit of the Risen Lord. This is huge. It needs to be pondered.
This Spirit of the Risen Lord, first given at baptism, elevates everything about us. We now have the choice to give meaning to absolutely everything concerning our human experience, even our suffering as a share of the cross, as Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel. When we must confront and own our forgetfulness, our negligence, and yes, our sins, we have an abiding consolation. If we stop to listen with the ear of our hearts, we will hear the reassuring words of Jesus reminding us: “Do not fear, I am with you.”
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections