January 1, 2016
By Diane Dean
CSJ Associate
Denver, CO
Scripture
Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 8;
Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21
Reflection
Did you ever have the experience of painting a room in your home?
It always overwhelms me how much time is spent in preparing the room
before the paint and brushes are ready to be used.
These scriptures remind me of that process. All the time, ages actually, we had to be prepared for God’s Son to lay his Grace (or paint) on us. We had to be readied to receive the New Law by living for ages under the Judaic Law. That old law, or way of being with one another, still guides as a foundation for the New Law Jesus was sent to deliver, like the undercoating on the wall to be painted.
As Paul says: “The Spirit of His Son was sent into our hearts as “Abba- Father.” We are no longer the old. dingy, cracked “walls.” We are now glistening with the fresh paint of being God’s child. We were readied to receive Jesus and His wisdom in this little child, born in these humble surroundings. The same kind of surroundings we find as we spread this Child’s wisdom to the poor, blind, and broken-hearted.
This is the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Associates, and those influenced by them: “Paint the Gospel of this Child given to us by our Abba-Father to those most in need of reconciliation and unity. Help them receive this Gift by being God’s Love to them.”
Prayer
On this special day, the first day of this year, paint my heart with
the words of the Psalm: “May God be gracious to us and bless
us and make his face shine upon us,” so we may shine like new
paint and point Your way upon this earth.
Amen.
Personal Challenge
I am ready. I have been prepared. Lay that paint on this soul.
Check back on Wednesday for our Feast of the Epiphany reflection!
Courtesy of Ministry of the Arts
