Today's Thoughts...

Today’s Thoughts: Our readings today offer us a few challenges. In our first reading from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 6:1-11), the writer addresses the leaders of nations. The author tells them that God will hold them accountable for their actions, that God will judge them strictly. Now hearing these words, we might say; “Well that has nothing to do with me I am not in a position of power, authority or influence.” However, in everyday life we can often throw our weight around and impose our will even when we only have a small amount of authority and power. Remember Wisdom tells us that “the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty will be mightily put to the test.” (Wisdom 6:6). We might well pause in the midst of our journey of life to consider others and their needs a little more carefully.
 
In our Gospel (Luke 17:11-19) Jesus responds with mercy to the ten lepers who asked for mercy. Yet it is the Samaritan in the group who returns to offer thanks. How often do we get caught up in the attitude that “Life is about me!” How often do we forget that all we are and all we have comes from God? When those good moments happen; when life falls into place for us; when things work out just as we had planned, how often do we remember to pause and say thank you?
 
If we look at the history of the world, the history of life, the history of the Church, great decisions have been made but so to have great mistakes and poor choices. Things have constantly changed sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse yet what has endured is the presence of God.
 
As Jesus tells us in the Gospel today, faith and thankfulness are key ingredients in the journey of life. We need to have faith, to trust in God’s mercy. We also need to be thankful for that mercy each and every day of our life.
 
Blessings and peace to all today! Enjoy your Wednesday everyone!