2 July 2014
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of Saints Bernardino Realino, John Francis Regis, and Francis Jerome; and Blesseds Julian Maunoir and Anthony Baldinucci; all Priests of the Society of Jesus
GRACE: Lord, help me to deepen my affection for the Kingdom on Earth as in Heaven, and to see how my life as a pilgrim involves the invitation to labor with Jesus for its upbuilding.
From today’s first reading:
Away with your noisy songs! I will not listen to the melodies of your harps.
But if you would offer me burnt offerings,
then let justice surge like water,
and goodness like an unfailing stream.
Here the Father is demonstrating His indifference toward what we, in our desire to please Him, “do” for Him. Whatsoever pious practice I choose to do for God (e.g. Going to Mass on weekdays, offering a rosary for someone’s intentions, abstaining from a favorite food, taking an hour for adoration of the Blesssed Sacrament, etc.), God is inviting me, in the reading of this passage from Scripture, not to neglect justice and goodness toward the other, toward my neighbors.
As I situate myself either imaginatively or in actuality in front of a strong, moving current (a river, stream, waterfall, etc,), Lord help me to recognize that my pilgrim journey must never be just about me and You; help me to see that my journey is interconnected with everyone else’s, according to Your divine will, and inspire my heart, first loved by You, to reach out in goodness and justice toward others, particularly those most in need of compassion.
July 2nd, 2014