Reflection for Monday, June 25, 2012: 12th week in Ordinary Time.
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Authors
Cherney, Mike
Issue Date
2012-06-25
Type
Essay
Language
en_US
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Abstract
As I read through the scripture for today, I easily find myself falling into certain roles. In the first reading I find myself as a person in occupied Israel in the 8th Century BC. I find myself complacent and feeling guilty that my countrymen and I have gotten what we deserved. In the Psalm, I can imagine myself in the role of a person besieged calling on God for help. In the Gospel, I find myself as a member of the crowd that is being chastised by Jesus for the way I judge.|I am well aware of how close (or distant) that I am in my relationship with my God. I have days when the connection is there. Generally things seem to function better when I am in that state. I have other days when I have distanced myself from my Lord. On these days I often feel that the difficulties I experience are a consequence. I draw a connection between my thoughts and actions, and my experience of the world around me. Intellectually I have problems with the idea of "karma", but my feelings give me a sense that I live in a world where God plays a role in history and continues to be active today.|In the first reading we see the Northern Kingdom of Israel has fallen. The people have lost the connection with their God. Their leader has failed. The nation is fragmented. This condition is blamed on the actions of the people.|The psalm response brings us to a later point in the history of Israel. The psalmist expresses the frustration of a people feeling defeated in battle. There are calls for God's assistance. We are left with a sense of a renewed awareness of the essential nature of the connection to God and the limitations of human endeavors.|My prayer today is for the strength and the will to keep my connection with God close and open. I pray for the ability to identify which directions are the best. I ask for forgiveness for the times that I have wrongly judged. Finally I pray for the insight to correctly recognize God's strengths and my limitations.
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Publisher
University Ministry, Creighton University.
License
These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.