“SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”
Daily Spiritual Reflections
14th February 2022
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MONDAY, SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Memorial of Saints Cyril & Methodius, Bishops
Jas 1: 1-11; Ps 119:67-68,71-72,75-76; Mk 8: 11-13
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FAITH MAKES A TRIAL A HAPPY PRIVILEGE
Our life here on earth has its fair share of trials. No one can evade this uncomfortable part of our existence. Neither did Jesus promise an easy life free of troubles. Yet, how we handle these ‘unwanted’ things, makes the difference between a meaningful life and a burdensome one. If we can learn to put everything in the hands of God, these things will become opportunities and instruments for us to see his marvellous works. Faith is the door that opens us to these signs of divine presence. God desires to reveal to us his love through these signs. Yet, one who has no faith shall seek for signs and not find them, for he does not go to the only door that opens to them.
The Pharisees’ demand for a sign came just after they witnessed the great miracle of Jesus feeding the four thousand. This is nothing but a stubborn refusal to believe in him. It was not that signs were absent in their lives; they refused to acknowledge them. Signs of God’s love and mercy are abundantly present around us. When you return home after work or shopping, and your little child comes running to hug you, isn’t that a sign of God’s presence? When strangers unexpectedly come to your aid when you are in sudden dire need, isn’t that sign of God’s mercy? If then God reveals his presence in the mundane happenings of daily life, would he not do so even more in times of trial and difficulty? The grace of God accompanies each one of us at every moment; what is needed on our part is to change our focus. We have to tune ourselves to the frequency of God’s grace to overcome temptation and trials.
“You will always have your trials but, when they come, try to treat them as a happy privilege; for you know that testing of your faith produces perseverance” says St James in the first reading. For, only through faith can we recognize the signs of God’s presence amidst the trials and persevere in hope; only in faith can we find in a trial, the ‘happy privilege’ of meeting God.
Response: Show me compassion, that I may live
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