Reflection for Wednesday, July 26, 2000: 16th week in Ordinary Time.

Abstract

The readings for today have many gems in them. However, I want to concentrate on Reading I: Jer 1:1, 4-10.|" ... The word of the Lord came to me thus: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. "Ah, Lord God!" I said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young. But the Lord answered me, say not, "I am too young." To whomever I send you, you shall go; Whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear ... because I am with you ... See I place my words in your mouth! ... "|These words are very special: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you ... ."|If we could really focus on the meaning of this message, we would feel comfort, a sense of direction, God's great love for each of us.|How often we ask children, "What are you going to do when you grow up?" or ask persons in their 60's, "What are you going to do in retirement?"|I would bet that few of us could say that we planned how we got to where we are today - in our personal as well as our professional lives. Yes, a sense of direction ... but exactly where we find ourselves today?|In thinking about the above words, we can feel a sense of Divine Guidance throughout our lives ... if we listen carefully to the daily movements in our lives to do good.|This reading reassures us that the Divine is with us and will help us do good in the situations we find ourselves ... "To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear ... because I am with you ... See, I place my words in your mouth!"|Lord, help us remember that you have always known us ... .from our very beginnings in our mothers' wombs ... help us be open to the daily movements of grace in our hearts to do good for the growth and development of others and ourselves.|Let us not fret about where we are going to be or what we are going to say. Help us be conscious that you are with us always ... .to the ends of the world.|Help us focus on the good that needs to be done - and then do it.|Most of all, Lord, let us be attentive to you within our own beings and within the hearts of others so that daily we recognize the good in ourselves and others --and thank you for it.