Daily Gospel Reflection for January 12, 2014

Today's Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17

When I consider Jesus' baptism, I'm always struck by John's protest. "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"

It's how I feel, so often, when I'm in the position of needing help. On my 30th birthday, I broke my first bone. In the six weeks that followed, I learned humility in a whole new way.

There was the parade of friends and fellow parishioners who brought me dinner. There was the friend who showed up and washed my dishes (we didn't have a dishwasher). There was the family member who watched my toddler so that I could rest or work or vent.

It wasn't easy to agree to all this help. I am, after all, an enlightened and independent woman. Or I was, before I became a mother and then broke my arm.

Now, I think, I'm just a student of humility, along with a host of other women. I'm bumbling along, trying to offer help and—far harder—graciously accept the help that's offered.

Once again, Jesus shows me how it's done. He's patient. He's gentle. And I can't help but think he has a sense of humor about it all.

Ponder:

How can you say Yes with grace and gentleness to an offer of help? How can you bless someone else by letting them give?

Pray:

Lord, I'm going to need a LOT of help here. I want to desire this, but it goes against everything that's so deeply ingrained in me. Help me to let go of my need for independence and accept blessing you want to give me. Guide me in accepting help from others and doing so with a loving and gracious heart.

Copyright 2014 Sarah Reinhard