Click here to read the daily readings from the USCCB website.
In our Gospel today the Pharisees are playing their usual roles as antagonists. They are consumed with envy as they see Jesus performing many miracles and they fear losing their influence in the Jewish community. Their pride likely causes them to deny that Jesus’ works are miraculous and offer lame explanations in attempts at discounting His true Identity and intentions.
It’s easy to point a finger at the Pharisees in this Gospel readings but consider a saying credited to the Navajo people of the American Southwest: when you point a finger at someone else, there are three fingers pointing back at you.
If we reflect on our own situation:
· Do we give God enough credit for the miracles he has worked in our own life?
· Do we have the humility to give God the credit for the blessings He showers down on us every day?
Popular opinion can work against us on this topic. By living in this time and place, it’s easy to feel a sense of entitlement for a certain standard of living. Pride can easily skew our perceptions and lead us to believe that we can take full credit for any and all good fortune in our lives.
Fortunately, our worship here today can keep us grounded. By celebrating the life, death and Resurrection of our Lord in the Eucharist, we can put our own life and plans in perspective.
As you may know, the root of the word Eucharist means thanksgiving or gratitude. As we celebrate the Eucharist this morning, let us ask God to open our eyes to His countless blessings and to better appreciate His healing presence in our lives.
-Deacon Steve Whiteman