Monday February 21/22

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Today's first reading contrasts selfish ambition and jealousy with the “wisdom from above.” Selfish ambition and jealousy bring “disorder and every foul practice.” The wisdom from above, by contrast, “is pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.”

In Psalm 19, David proclaims that a soul which meditates on God's law and decrees will be refreshed and filled with this wisdom: “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.” Wisely and humbly, David then prays – for a heart which finds favour in God's sight: “Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favour before you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Without such a heart, he cannot fulfill his anointing as king.

Our Gospel reading finds Jesus, Peter, James and John coming off the mountain of transfiguration. A crowd is waiting for them. Scribes (who do not believe in spirits) are arguing with Jesus' disciples, who cannot cast out a demon from a man's son. Jesus, angry at that generation's lack of faith, commands the demon to leave. He then explains to the disciples that this kind of demon can only be cast out by prayer.

The readings today remind me that I cannot rely only on my baptismal anointing to fulfill God's calling. My life must be nurtured, grounded in prayer and in God's word each day. Like David, I must ask my Heavenly Father for wisdom, thoughts and words that find favour with God – wisdom, thoughts and words that will cast out “selfish ambition” and “jealousy” from my life.

God my Father, All that is good, holy, wise and true comes from You through Jesus, in the power of Your Holy Spirit. Grant that I may never grow tired of turning to You each day in praise, thanksgiving and supplication for all my needs. Keep my feet from stumbling into selfish ambition and jealousy, that I might truly live out the calling You have placed on my life as a disciple of Jesus Your Son. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.


Link to Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022122.cfm

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