New Years Day

Monday, January 1

Scripture

Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8;
Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21

Reflection

Luke’s reading is filled with “what if ” questions of long ago. What if the shepherds hadn’t heard the angels, hadn’t been curious enough to go to Bethlehem and hadn’t found Mary, Joseph, and the infant. What if they didn’t connect the angels’ message with what they saw. What if they didn’t go and tell others so they too could be amazed at the message. What if Mary hadn’t kept all these things in her heart contemplating their meaning? And what if the shepherds hadn’t returned to glorify and praise God for all they heard and seen. Would we have known Jesus today? The “what ifs” in our lives today are abundant and maybe the simple pattern of today’s story gives us a way to respond: to hear God’s message; to be open and curious about what I see and hear; to contemplate the meaning; to be amazed and moved into action so the message can be alive today.

Prayer

Give me the grace to be able to hear, listen, contemplate your message in the “what ifs” of my life today. Give me the grace to be amazed and to act, reflecting your message for me and for all the shepherds reached.

Personal Challenge

Hear, contemplate, be amazed, act.

Sister Theresa Kvale
Los Angeles, CA

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