Today's Reflection
November 20, 2008
The Mysteries of Light
The Baptism in the Jordan
The Wedding at Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist
FORGIVENESS
Let us pray, for an experience of God’s forgiveness in our lives through the Mysteries of Light.
“I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.” Matthew 3:11
THE witness to the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan reveals the power of our loving God in our lives when it comes to the forgiveness of sins. Through our baptism we have been freed from original sin and given the grace to follow in the footsteps of our Savior. Each time we renew our baptismal promises we recall our commitment to reject Satan and all his works and to believe in the Good News. Each time we make the sign of the cross with the Holy Water as we enter or leave the church, we are reminded that we have been baptized with water and the Holy Spirit and called by name to follow Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus, help us through this reflection on your baptism, to always be ready to ask for forgiveness when we have fallen from a grace filled life.
II. THE WEDDING AT CANA
“And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.’” John 2:4
IN this the first of Jesus’ public miracles, we hear that there is no more wine. Imagine that you are at a wedding and are told there is no more wine. The embarrassment of the bridegroom’s family to have their guests without wine is an experience that many do not wish to live. Words asking forgiveness must have uttered out of their mouths. There are times when we find ourselves in those self-conscious moments when we need to ask for pardon or to say, “I’m sorry” to those whom we love. Jesus teaches us not to panic and how to live in a spirit of forgiveness.
Lord Jesus, may we turn to You in our moments of embarrassment and learn how to respond in a loving and forgiving way.
III. THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
“Child, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5
JESUS says to the paralyzed man, “Your sins are forgiven …. Rise, pick up your mat and walk.” To the scribes Jesus was blaspheming, for they believed that no one had the power to forgive sins but God. Yet Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking and challenged them. Through this mystery, we are invited to examine our lives and place before God the areas that need healing from our brokenness and forgiveness from our sinfulness.
Lord Jesus, may we experience the power of Your healing and forgiving presence to each of us, paralyzed as we are by sinfulness and brokenness.
IV. THE TRANSFIGURATION
“As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with a shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid.” Luke 9:34
THE disciples were invited by Jesus to go with him to the mountaintop to pray and to spend some special time with him. Peter, James and John were afraid when they began to experience something unknown to them. Jesus loved his friends and showed great patience with them yet he was firm in telling them they could not stay together on the mountaintop. During His life, Jesus experienced many moments of forgiveness with His friends, especially with Peter. In prayer, we have moments when we are afraid, for we do not know where God is leading us, yet we desire to follow with our hearts.
Lord Jesus, as we experience some unknown places in our lives, may we be as forgiving with our close friends as You were with Your friends.
V. THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST
“At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7
PETER did not want Jesus to wash his feet. Jesus in his compassion for Peter said, “If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.” At that, Peter said, “wash all of me.” Peter witnesses to us what happens when we seek to occupy the high ground and fail to recognize our own needs. Peter once again learns a severe lesson about the compassion and forgiveness in his relationship with Jesus. We need to learn from Peter how to include ourselves among the sinful and humble children of God.
Lord Jesus, may we experience Your compassion and forgiveness especially when we are uncertain about events that have happened in our lives that have led us to stray from Your grace.