Daily Gospel Reflection for February 17, 2020

Reflection by Fr. Edward Looney Today's Gospel: Mark 8:11-13 “The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus.” Have you ever been like one of the Pharisees? Have you argued with Jesus? The Pharisees argued with the Lord about what His teachings meant and what He was doing in His public ministry. If we’ve argued with God, it probably happened within the context of our prayer. Most likely we vented our frustrations about life and what we were experiencing. If we have had one bad thing happen after another, the argument could sound something like this: “Why do you continue to let all these things happen to me? I can’t take it anymore!” Or, “I do so much for your honor and glory, why does this have to happen to me?” Our arguments are similar to the saints'. It is said that St. Teresa of Avila once said to God, “If this is how You treat Your friends, no wonder you have so few.” In the spiritual life, it is okay for us to give voice to these sentiments because in letting them go, we can sigh ourselves, just as Jesus sighed in the gospel. As our God receives our arguments, I’m sure He continues to sigh. He might not talk about seeking signs as He does in our gospel today; instead Jesus might sigh and say, “Why don’t you trust I have a plan for you?” Any arguing we might do with God, is the movement of our prayer from acknowledging our present reality and surrendering everything to His providence. And in God’s time, He will give us an answer to the questions we ask and fill us with His peace. Don’t get upset with yourself if you have prayed this way. Instead, see it as an opportunity for God to work throughout whatever trouble or trial you face.

Ponder:

What is the last difficult question you posed to God in prayer? Did He give you an answer?

Pray:

Lord, I surrender to You all my questions and worries, trusting that You have a plan for me. Fill me with Your peace.

Copyright 2020 Fr. Edward Looney Fr. Edward Looney was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Green Bay in June 2015, and is an internationally recognized Marian theologian, writer, speaker, and radio personality. Author of the best-selling books, A Heart Like Mary’s and A Rosary Litany, he has also written a prayer book for the only approved American Marian apparition, received by Adele Brise in 1859 in Champion, Wisconsin. Receive CatholicMom.com newsletters in your inbox, including the Daily Gospel Reflection each morning! * indicates required