Seventeenth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the LORD. When Aaron, then, and the other children of Israel saw Moses and noticed how radiant the skin of his face had become, they were afraid to come near him.

Although we might not have radiant faces after speaking to God in our prayers or when we celebrate the sacraments, we should have glowing minds and hearts. Our time spent in conversation with God should leave us with the commandments written upon the two tablets of our intellect and will. Our faith should radiate for all to see. Our hope should be a light for all to enjoy. Our love should shine on everyone we meet. We all have the choice to either know, love, and serve God and become a light for the whole world or serve ourselves and fall into darkness. It is up to us to make the right decision, God doesn’t force His graces on us, but if we accept them, we shall reap the rewards and grow in holiness.

Do we seek out God and converse with Him? How can we prepare our minds and hearts to receive His commandments and live them out faithfully? What can we do to radiate God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace for all to see?

O Lord, we wish to converse with you and radiate your goodness for all to see.

Amen.

Friday after Epiphany

The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

After curing the leper, great crowds come to him seeking to be cured of their ailments, but Jesus withdraws from them to pray. This action reminds us of the need to maintain our prayer life and keep our focus on doing God’s Will. Sometimes when we try to do too much, we can lose sight of why we do works of charity and mercy. Yes, Jesus could have easily healed everyone he came into contact with, but he doesn’t. This is not because he doesn’t care about the suffering of others, but rather because he wanted to keep the focus on the wondrous power of God. If he healed everyone, then the miraculous would have become mundane and lost its potency as a sign of God’s Forgiveness and Mercy. Jesus wanted the crowds to come to him because they believed and hoped in his message, not because they expected him to cure their every ailment.

Do we maintain our prayer life even in the midst of our daily lives? Do we seek a quiet place to pray and converse with God? When we pray, do we come to God in a selfless spirit of faith and hope or in a selfish spirit of expectation?

O Lord, lead us to a deserted place where we can talk to you in our prayers.

Amen.