Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: July 15, 2024

Date: Memorial of St. Bonaventure/Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  ISAIAH 1:10-17

Hear the word of the LORD, princes of Sodom!

Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah!

What care I for the number of your sacrifices? says the LORD.

I have had enough of whole-burnt rams and fat of fatlings;

In the blood of calves, lambs and goats I find no pleasure.

When you come in to visit me, who asks these things of you?

Trample my courts no more!

Bring no more worthless offerings;

your incense is loathsome to me.

New moon and sabbath, calling of assemblies,

octaves with wickedness: these I cannot bear.

Your new moons and festivals I detest;

they weigh me down, I tire of the load.

When you spread out your hands,

I close my eyes to you;

Though you pray the more,

I will not listen.

Your hands are full of blood!

Wash yourselves clean!

Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;

cease doing evil; learn to do good.

Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,

hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading for today is drawn from the opening chapter of the prophet Isaiah. It lays before the reader the LORD’s desire not for pomp and circumstance, not for sacrifices of animals, not for showy rituals. The LORD, instead, desires loving kindness, doing good, loving one another, especially the weakest and most vulnerable all for love of the LORD.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How do I give glory to the LORD? What am I doing with my life to bring the justice the LORD desires?

Praying:

LORD, Always and everywhere, You have told us what You desire, that we do justice by loving one another and that we walk humbly with You, loving You with all our mind, heart, and strength. You do not desire gold vessels in our rituals nor incense filling the air. You desire our true, sincere, authentic love for You lived out here on earth through our authentic love for one another. Tenderize my heart and mind so that I am more able to feel the needs of my sisters and brothers. Make of me one who loves you best by loving those You created, by bringing my love for You to them. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.