Guest Scripture Reflection

In the first reading, a wise teacher encourages us to be merciful. When we forgive, we reflect the gracious love and merciful character of God. In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that we belong to Christ.

“We do not know how to pray as we ought,” St. Paul tells us today. But where’s the problem? There are so many prayers – the Hail Mary, the Book of Psalms, novenas, countless prayer books and, most basic of all, the Lord’s Prayer. When we don’t know how to pray, we can use those.

We live in a crazy mixed-up-world, yet it is still God’s world. He is still in control. Confident of this, we can face life as it is, knowing that someday life will become what it ought to be. Until that day comes, may we establish our hearts in the unshakeable faith of Christ.   

A friend of mine liked to quote a saint – I don’t remember which one – who said that food is God’s love made edible. In our first reading, the biblical authors indicate that water is God’s love made drinkable. When the Israelites become dehydrated during their journey through a broiling desert, God pulls them back from the brink of death with a miraculous supply of water.

Lovely melodies have been written for today’s responsorial psalm (the response is “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will”), which make for pleasant congregational singing.