A Reflection for Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
You can find today’s readings here.
Both the first reading and the responsorial psalm both mention how the Lord is kind and merciful. I find comfort in those gentle words; they make me stop to reflect on the many ways—even during dark, difficult days—that he is kind and merciful.
In the first reading, we are reminded that when each of us face trials and tribulations in our lives, we must approach them with patience and faith, without grumbling or judging others. Of course, that is easier said than done.
My mother-in-law, with whom I am very close, is gravely ill. In recent days, I have accompanied her and my father-in-law to doctor’s appointments and hospital stays. It is easy to feel annoyed when waiting times seem excessive or a health care professional doesn’t act with the urgency that we think is warranted. I’m guilty of complaining about slow appointments, the long wait for test results and the receptionist who places us on what seems like an unending hold. I’ve also gone down the slippery slope of ruminating on how unfair it seems that my mother-in-law is suffering and in so much pain. It is in these exact moments that I must remain patient, not compare myself to others, and most importantly, lean into our faith.
It is during these times that we must all remember to act as the Lord did, with kindness and compassion: to show gratitude to the highly skilled doctors and nurses who have treated our family with dignity, compassion and kindness; to find the graces and beauty in each and every day, regardless of the realities that we are facing; to acknowledge the courage and perseverance my mother-in-law has displayed despite the fact that her earthly pilgrimage is likely coming to an end. These are just a few of the ways I am working to model his teachings in my own life.
The next time you are having a bad day, facing your own suffering or that of a loved one, take time to seek out the Lord’s kindness and mercy through actions and words and grow closer to his unending and bountiful love. That will surely make our earthly burdens easier to bear.
