“Scratchpad Reflections” are daily meditations on the scripture readings for the date noted and are written by Dominican Brother Daniel Thomas to help readers gain a deeper understanding of the daily liturgies and Masses of celebration. Here is the reflection for: May 2, 2016 – Monday in the 6th Week of Easter.
Saint for the day: Athanasius (295? – 373)
Scripture Readings for today’s Liturgy:
Acts 16:11-15 – Psalm 149 – John 15:26-16:4
John’s Gospel delights in the themes of light vs. darkness; Spirit filled vs. aimless rambling; Heavenly vs. Worldly. Yet I venture to say that our lives are never totally one or the other but various combinations of a little of this and a little of that – at least in this time of journey. “What we are to become has not yet been revealed …” So we end up yearning for the Lord while at the same time sunk in the depths of worldly matters. After all, if everybody just went out to the desert cliff to sit and wait for the Second Coming who would provide for them? So, how do we seek the Spirit while at the same time remaining practical? I’m going on a trip to Spain this spring on a pilgrimage being called, “In the footsteps of St. Dominic.” It’s still a month away but I’m already worried about a lot of the details – the least of which deals with the various financial matters. Meanwhile, a significant part of my prayers deals with this and, so, I prayed, “Lord, let me win the lottery!” To which God replied, “Daniel, meet me halfway, buy a lottery ticket!” Therefore, in some sense, we can’t just take John’s admonition as either or but both and. So, I prayed, “My soul is longing for you, Oh, Lord. When will you come and meet me face to face?” To which God replied: “Daniel! Meet me halfway. Get out on the road!” Bottom line: the Church didn’t grow by leaps and bounds while the disciples sat in the upper room praying. They had to get “out there” in order to meet the Lord like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus. “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke to us?” In some way or other we have to be out there … on the way to … (here you can fill in any words you think important in your life at this time.) Then, see how the Lord answers your prayers! Amen!