Reflection for Sunday, August 23, 2020: 21st week in Ordinary Time.

Abstract

|After much procrastination, I sat down to pray with today's readings and then write this reflection. I wasn't resistant, so to speak, but distracted with life things, and it was past the deadline for submission. I invite you into my journey of reflection.|My first thought was, "This will be easy." It is always good to reflect on the question Jesus poses "Who do you say I am?" But something in me wouldn't let me get away with the "easy out" this time. I sat some more, reflected some more, read again. I saw a couple links between the reading from Isaiah and Matthew and I was off and writing.|First, in Matthew's story, we read how Peter is chosen by Jesus to be the foundation of his church. Jesus doesn't just say to Peter, "I choose you." He chooses him because he has been gifted with revelation. Peter has been given blessings and gifts to be the foundation. Secondly, in Isaiah, Eliakim is being chosen. He is being chosen and gifted to replace Shebna who was exploiting his position for personal gain. Noticing this link felt like an invitation to ask "How am I chosen? What gifts have I been given and how am I called to use them?"|I then circled around and reflected more on "Who do you say that I am?" I realized that I was being invited to reflect on this and notice that the answer to the question "Who do you say that I am?" can help me grow in understanding of who I am called to be. The more I seek to know God more fully, the more I enter into deeper relationship, the more clearly I know myself. The opposite is also true. The more I dig deep into who I am at my core, find my voice, the more fully I will know who and how God is. This is a "both/and" invitation. I was ready to write this out. But, apparently God wasn't finished yet. I heard a further invitation in my prayer. Something like – why don't you actually do this – reflect on this today. There was a "duh" moment and some more prayer. What I recognized was that I have been so distracted by life I was wondering if it was time to take a break from writing these reflections. I love doing it, but time, energy and inspiration seem to be waning. But I took a look at my process this morning and words were flying out, my paper was covered with scribbles like I couldn't write fast enough. I realized I was having an experience of "being gifted" with the thoughts and words to say. In a small way, maybe I have been gifted and chosen to write this reflection. Humbling. What does that tell me about who I say God/Jesus is? God is the provider of inspiration, always present, cheering for me, loving me, using me. Again, humbling. |So, in summary, if you are still with me, the invitations I hear today are to reflect on the questions: Who do you say I (Jesus) am? Really, deeply, honestly? Where and how does God choose and gift me this day?