Daily Gospel Reflection for November 21, 2015

Today's Gospel: Luke 20:27-40

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

By God’s providence, I receive today’s Gospel on my brother Mark’s birthday. If he were still alive, Mark would celebrate his 48th birthday on this very day. Mark died of cancer at the age of 39, but today God sent me this Gospel reading as a present to celebrate my brother.

“He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

November is the time of autumn, of decay, of visiting graves, of celebrating and praying for the dead. In cultures tied to the land, autumn is a time of rest. Everything must come to rest one day. I am deeply grateful that God offers eternal rest in his very own house. As Psalm 23 sings, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days.” And my brother will be there too. And my sister who died of cancer at the age of four. And all my relatives, and all the saints who have passed down the legacy of faith to me. My cup overflows.

Ponder:

Who are the people I long to see again in Heaven? What will it be like to live “like angels,” praising God forever, united with all his children?

Pray:

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures he makes me lie down;
to still waters he leads me;

he restores my soul.
He guides me along right paths
for the sake of his name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me.

You set a table before me
in front of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me
all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the Lord
for endless days.

We thank our friends at The Word Among Us for providing our gospel reflection team with copies of Abide In My Word 2015: Mass Readings at Your Fingertips. To pray the daily gospels with this wonderful resource, visit The Word Among Us.

Copyright 2015 Grace Mazza Urbanski