August 23, 2020 - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Sr. Jane Hibbard, SNJM
- Aug 21, 2020
- 2 min read
“Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.” Psalm 138
Readings
Book of the Prophet Isaiah 22:19-23
Letter of Paul to the Romans 11:33-36
Gospel According to Matthew 16:13-20
Reflection
By Sister Jane Hibbard, SNJM
“You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church!” Really? If you read through all of the references to St. Peter in the gospels you have to wonder what Jesus was thinking? He is impulsive, impetuous, and impatient. And still Jesus turns over the keys to the foundation of the church to Peter. Surely this should give us pause and even humor and joy as we work out how to follow in their footsteps.
Our journey is a mystery. Listen the second reading: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!......for from him and through him and for him are all things.”
We have the opportunity in these days of COVID to sink more deeply into the spiritual reality of our lives. God is calling us to the monastery in our hearts. Listen! Listen deeply! And then God is calling us to lighten the load for someone else. Make a phone call! Write a letter! Renew a relationship! The longer this goes on the more urgent it is to stay with this program of the internal deepening of our spiritual life, leading always to the call to reach out and be aware, loving and concerned for someone else.
God’s continued blessing as we keep on, keeping on! We are with you in Spirit and love!
From the Rule of St. Benedict
"Let us get up then... Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God,
and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out to us." Prologue Verse 8-9
Gospel Acclamation
"You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church
And the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18
Icon from The Printery House, The Monks of Conception Abbey
I often think of Peter and his stumbling and fumbling about but there is a sense that his heart is always in the right place ... earnest ... always trying ... loving so deeply and completely our sweet Lord. I think Jesus chose Peter because no matter how many mistakes Peter made he kept trying. He was sorry, asked for forgiveness, lifted himself up and dusted himself off and tried again. I relate to Peter so much. This reflection encourages me and reminds me that no matter how many times I stumble, Jesus loves me and will always be there for me to the point that even unexpected gifts and graces will come to gentle the narrow way. Thank…