Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Reading and Reflection
In the First Reading Samuel is faced with the dilemma; the people are asking for a king, the Lord tells him to go ahead and appoint a king for them, Samuel tries to explain to the people what the “...rights of such a king would be,” but the people insist. Samuel returns to the Lord and again the Lord tells him, “Grant their request and appoint a king to rule them.”
In the Responsorial Psalm the psalmist is joyful and invites us to sing all day of our happiness in knowing the Lord and having the privilege, “...to walk in the radiance of your face”. So, knowing He is our strength and truly our shield; How Can We Keep From Singing?
Mark’s Gospel is the recounting of the Healing of the Paralytic.
Reflection: As Samuel lists the things a king would demand of the people I could not help but think of all the slogans, promises and accusing finger-pointing we are currently subject to as the country prepares to choose a new President. The adage pops into my mind, “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!” My prayer is that the Lord, our shield and our protection look kindly upon us and guide us to be strong and choose wisely.
Mark’s Gospel while demonstrating Jesus is the Son of God who has the power to not only forgive our sins but to make us whole in every way, gives us a message of hope. Hope for our own healing and that of our world.
Today we begin a week of
unity, a celebration of our common baptism in Jesus Christ. Help us,
Lord, in this journey to realize that we are all people of your love,
for you are Father of us all. Heal us, and teach us that as you have
shown compassion and mercy to us, we too reach out and bring about
healing and peace. Amen. LB
