Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 23, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time – “Thanksgiving”

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Brothers and sisters: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The second reading for the Mass of Thanksgiving today is drawn from the beginning of Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians. In it, Paul begins by reminding us that the grace we need and the peace we long for are gifts to us from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. What grace, indeed, we have received in the gift of the Father’s only begotten Son, and how we have been enriched as believers and disciples. The Spirit has blessed us with spiritual gifts for life on earth as we await “life in abundance” with our LORD. Our LORD is faithful. Our LORD created us for life through love and calls us to life through loving fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I acknowledge the gifts of the LORD for my life, for my journey? Am I using them to bond me more closely to the LORD, to serve the LORD and others? Am I responding daily to the faithful LORD’s call to me to enter into loving fellowship with Christ and with my sisters and brothers?

Praying:

Ever faithful LORD, stir within me that I might mirror your faithfulness. Grant that your grace will not be wasted upon me. I long for the peace that is only possible through life in You, with You, and through You, that is only possible when I am loving You wholly, with my whole mind, my whole heart, my whole soul. Hold me firmly upon “the Way” as I journey to You. Amen.