Humility and Receptivity

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:

Romans 1:16-25
Psalm 19:2-5
Luke 11:37-41


A reflection on today's Scripture:

Today's First Reading from St. Paul to the Romans says something very important for us to hear and to remember: namely, that whatever can be learned about God is clear. He made it that way. The corollary to this alerts us to the fact that if we or others are having difficulty knowing God, its not God's fault, but our own.

Even when there are horrendous circumstances - like persecutions or total lack of access to the one, true, Catholic Church, as in China, the Faith springs up and grows!

The disposition of hearts is what makes the difference. All God needs from us is humility and receptivity -- not intelligence or the easy availability of Sacramental graces, like some might guess. There are no excuses for not finding God, just rationalizations that fail to put accountability where it justly resides: in our own individual hearts.

Let us then pray that all the evidence of God's love and mercy will penetrate our minds and that human hearts will respond in kind to the love and Mercy of our God who is not hidden but who is present to all who seek Him.

O Mighty triune God!
We thirst for your Holy Spirit to come into our hearts,
to enlighten us with the knowledge of your mercy and love.
Amen!

- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS