feast day of Saint Paul Miki and 25 other martyrs

February 6, 2018

Today’s readings lead me to reflect on how over time early intentions may become lost in daily practices.

In the passage from the First Book of Kings, Solomon is dedicating the temple, a new and more splendid home for the holy objects. I find Solomon noteable in his humility during this event. He does not deem himself to have the right to handle these objects. He recognizes God by stretching out his hands toward heaven in prayer showing his submission and openness. He asks for forgiveness.

I see the Responsorial Psalm as a spontaneous prayer of love of devotion and the Gospel Acclamation as emphasizing the basis of the tradition.

In today’s Gospel, religious leaders from Jerusalem do not have the same sense of humility. They have seemingly made up their minds about Jesus. They appear to be out to discredit him. Jesus makes a distinction between that which is the basis of tradition and how the tradition has come to be practiced.
Today’s readings bring to mind a number of similar situations my experience. Too often I feel what was envisioned is lost in either the rules or in the daily routine.

I feel that my best moments during my work career have been those where I was actively concerned about where I should be heading. These were the times when I was putting in more than could be expected because I was driven by a fire burning in my heart.

Today is the feast day of Saint Paul Miki and 25 other martyrs. My prayer today is for the kind of personal strength that was found in people like these who acted out their deep inner sense of what was truly important.

Heavenly Father,

I pray today for the strength to see and act on what is important.

Grant me forgiveness for the times when I have lost focus.

Assist me in distinguishing between how the tradition is practiced and the basis of the tradition.

Help me to avoid frustration with the rules and limitations that I encounter.

Do not allow the potential routine of life to interfere with how I respond to You.

The days may be long, and the tasks may be many.

When fatigue may blur my focus, I ask for Your guidance in how I live out my personal mission.