Daily Gospel Reflection for January 27, 2018

Today's Gospel: Mark 4:35-41 My friend went on a boat ride with her family when suddenly, a storm came. The rain pounded, the boat rocked, and water poured in. Everyone except her huddled to pray the Our Father. She sat alone and told God they needed to talk…NOW. She prayed for the storm to pass. Shortly after, it did. That evening, they attended Mass. The Gospel was Jesus calming the storm. In the priest’s homily, he asked if anyone had encountered a storm like that. My friend’s daughter asked, “How did the priest know?” He didn’t… But God does know about our storms. Recently, “waves were breaking over” the houseboat of my life. I was upset when things didn’t turn out in the way I had prayed. It hurt. I cried. I shook my fist at God. I felt God didn’t care about me or my needs. Then, I realized I had to get out of my soggy boat. I felt the nudging of God to open the book on the table next to me, “Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence”. Now, I had read this book many times. And I bought many copies that I shared with friends – but in my sorrow, I was having a hard time surrendering to God’s will! I read the book again. I felt God instructing me. Then there it was, the line I had already underlined and read many times before: “Let us imagine our confusion when we appear before God and understand the reasons why He sent us the crosses we accept so unwillingly.” I experienced “great calm”. Then, I was reminded of a joke, “When you get to heaven, everyone has a flat forehead. Why? Because you hit your forehead and say, “Duh, now I get it! – I see the big picture!”

Ponder:

Am I willing to pray more, worry less, and let God be God?

Pray:

Lord, I don’t understand Your ways… but I trust in You. I have faith that You know what is best for me.

Copyright 2018 Brenda Kindelan Brenda Kindelan heads the Memphis Women's Morning of Spirituality, gives talks, leads retreats, goes to prison (ministry), hunts for bargains, and prays at her kitchen table with friends! She married Juan 45 years ago. They have 4 daughters and 6 grandchildren. Oh yeah, find out why she's one of Therese's little flowers at http://brendakindelan.com. Receive CatholicMom.com newsletters in your inbox, including the Daily Gospel Reflection each morning! * indicates required