February 18, 2025 // Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Mark 8:14-21
Reflect on the Word //
The pile of brown moving boxes stashed in the far corner of our room greet my gaze; they are filled to the brim with books we have yet to unpack. These boxes have undoubtedly begun to blend into this space—as each day passes, they become increasingly easy to forget, neglect, and ignore.
More often than I care to admit, these boxes are a lot like the miracles the Lord has worked in my own life—both big and small. In the busyness of my day, I am quick to forget, neglect, and ignore the ways in which He has miraculously multiplied my meager offerings: my patience, my trust, my surrender, my gratitude . . . I am like the disciples in today’s Gospel, whom Jesus asks, “Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand?” (Mark 8:18-19) How often do we long to see and hear Him, but shirk the invitation to sit at His feet?
I approach a box that sits on top of three others. I open it and there lies a prayer journal from the early years of my relationship with the Lord. I flip it open and read: “It is in the ordinary that I come to you. It is in the day-to-day that I desire to be near you. It is here, right here, in this space that My Spirit attends to your own! Do you have eyes and not see? Ears and not hear?”
The Lord is continually speaking to us all the message of today’s Gospel. With gentleness, patience, and delight, He has led us to where we are now. He has never not seen or heard us. He sees and hears all of each of us. And He asks us to remember what He has done for us, to see Him in the day-to-day miracles of life, to hear His voice in all we do.
He was with us—at the very beginning when He first drew us to Him—and is with us now. Right here—wherever we are—is where He wants to be.
Relate to the Lord // Ask Jesus to open your eyes and ears to His presence today. Where do you see and hear Him in your daily life?
Shalini Blubaugh is a Minnesota transplant living in Coppell, Texas. She served with NET Ministries and went on to graduate with her J.D., though happily left all things law behind. Along with her roles as wife and mom, she now runs her own company, Pray. Train. Grow., as a Certified Fitness Trainer and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. Her mission is to help Catholic women grow STRONG in mind, body, and heart through the integration of Faith, fitness and food.
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