Monday, February 19, 2018

Reflection for Monday, February 19, 2018

Monday of the First Week of Lent
LV 19:1-2, 11-18
PS 19:8, 9, 10, 15
MT 25:31-46

How do I find God? What does he/she/they look like? Sound like? I’ve personally struggled and grown and struggled again with this concept over the last few years. Prayer takes many forms and I didn’t quite understand that for a long time. It always seemed complex and formal. However, the readings today align well with your relationships.
In the first reading, God tells Moses to speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them to be holy, because I, your God, am holy. It’s a call to action. Action, is where we should focus. Living a life of action that deserves to be called holy. Let that sink in. A life of action that deserves to be called holy. That sounds like a big task and many days I have no idea where to start.
            As members of the SLU community, we have often, and maybe too often, heard to “find God in all things”, or something similar. Personally that phrase has gone over my head many a times. It seems overused if don’t understand and choose to see the true meaning. In the Gospel today, Jesus says, “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Think about that. What stands out to you in that short passage? By seeing God in everyone and everything, it can start to make sense. God is in your best friend who had a bad day. How do you help them work through it? Your professor that assigned a paper due the same day as an exam. How do you make the most of the educational opportunity you have been given? God is in you. How do you care for yourself on those good days and bad?
            Prayer is living a life of compassion for yourself and others. It is thinking about your relationships and taking action knowing there is no immediate reward. Prayer with God is not always kneeling in a church. Be creative. Think back to how you will live a holy life of action. Where does it begin for you?



Matt Ramsey is a Senior studying Occupational Therapy.

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