Daily Reflection – 5/23/2024
Sacred Scripture
Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.” (Mark 9:41-50)
Reflection
“I thirst.”
Those words resonate within us.
On the cross with arms outstretched, Jesus says “I Thirst”. Few heard Him but Mary, His mother did, and John the Apostle and Mary Magdalene. The words uttered pierced their souls as they saw the man who changed their lives dying on the cross.
“I thirst.”
He turns his head from the vinegar offered, bows his head, and dies.
Those very same words serve as a reminder of His love.
Jesus thirsts to love you. Jesus thirsts to be with you. Jesus thirsts to comfort you and remind you that He is there for you . . . always there for you.
Jesus wants you to open your heart and to see him. Not only with words but with your heart, your emotions, your very self. It is only when we open our hearts to God and in the silence await Him that we can begin to see Him.
In today’s scripture, Jesus used the image of salt to describe how his disciples are to live in the world. As salt purifies, preserves, and produces rich flavor for food, so the disciple of Christ must be salt in the world to purify, preserve, and bring the flavor of God’s kingdom of righteousness, peace, joy, and mercy.
To purify, to preserve and to bring the flavor of God’s kingdom.
Much is written about a person’s call, but I believe the essence of His call to each of us is right there in His request.
Perhaps Jesus wanted to contrast useful salt and salt which lost its ability to prevent corruption to encourage his disciples to bring the rich flavor of Christ’s love, holiness, and righteousness to a world dominated by greed, selfish ambition, and neglect for the weak, poor, and defenseless.
We are meant to encourage one another and to draw others to Christ through our witness and our words. We are mandated to use His love and constant presence within us to stand up to those whose moral standards conflict with the standards of Jesus Christ.
Our lives are different from those who do not believe in God. We should be distinctive in the way that we love our families, treat our employees, or care for our neighbors.
If you live your life, like everyone else does, you cannot be salt for the earth. If you do not give hope to those who are in darkness, you cannot be the light of the world.
We are asked to be different by the way we live our lives and influence others. This is what it means to be salt for the earth–to so believe in the love of God and the call to justice that we stand apart from what is expected and normal.
He thirsts for us to know His love. He thirsts for us to be filled with His presence. He thirsts for us to understand that if we seek him and open our lives to Him, we will answer His call and will purify, preserve and bring the flavor of God’s kingdom to our world.
Every day He waits to say, “I love you.” Our soul needs that as much as the body needs to breathe the air.
“I thirst.” What answer do you give to our Lord and Savior?
Prayer of The Day
“Lord Jesus, fill me with the fragrance of your love and truth that I may radiate the joy and peace of the Gospel wherever I go and with whomever I meet.”
Daily Note
Paul the Apostle reminds us that we are called to be “the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16). The Lord Jesus wants the fragrance of his love and righteousness to permeate our lives, thoughts, speech, and actions. Do you allow the fragrance of Christ’s love and truth to permeate your relationships and circle of influence, especially among your family, friends, and neighbors?
