Friday January 8, 2021

As I enter into this time of prayer and reflection, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly; to recenter my scattered senses upon the presence of God.

Holy God, there are many voices I hear every day that can often be overwhelming. In this moment, this First 15, I choose to hear your voice. Speak to me God, I am listening.

Acts 8:14-17

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

At Christmas God came for a visit, but at Epiphany and Jesus’ baptism, God took up residence. In Acts the people of Samaria heard the Good News, but with the arrival of Peter and John, they allowed God as the Holy Spirit to move in. This obedience was exactly what God wanted!

If we let Christmas come and go, we have a visit from God. If we receive God, God becomes a resident in us. Why only settle for a visit when we can have God, the Holy Spirit, move in? Jesus isn’t like other visitors who come and overstay, wearing us out and out-living their welcome.

Which will it be this year for you? Will you welcome God into your life as a visitor or as a permanent resident? Will you leave behind things cluttering your life to make a place for God or will you leave God out and return to your familiar routine?

When you are finished with your time of reflection, close out this time with this prayer.

Lord, may the Holy Family’s reaction to life’s disruption be our guide to the disruption of 2021 and all of life’s disruptions. May we be as faithful, trusting and obedient as they were.

In Christ’s love. Amen.