Daily reflection _ tuesday, 9th week, ordinary time

STAMPED WITH GOD'S IMAGE
 "May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts that we may know what is the hope that belongs to His call." Today's Gospel acclamation exhorts us to strengthen our hope. The Responsorial Psalm provides the reason for our hope, "In every age, O Lord, You have been our refuge" (Ps. 90:1). Today's reading from the Second Letter of Peter gives us the strongest encouragement. We are called to live in hope, to live as though we were already experiencing God's arrival by His dwelling in our hearts. The Scriptures often remind us not to be overcome by our fears but to wait eagerly for the new heaven and the new earth that will follow our pain and sufferings.
Today, the Church honors St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr, and a true seeker of the Lord. He set out to preach the Gospel in Germany where his ministry was very fruitful. St. Boniface was called to help others to see the presence of God in their daily lives.
We ask Christ Jesus to enlighten the "eyes of our hearts" so that we too may help others to see the presence of God. With God's grace we are able to live a faith-filled life of action, strength, and hope. We can help others witness the presence of God in their lives by living out the Spiritual Works of Mercy:
Instruct the ignorant
Counsel the doubtful
Admonish the sinner
Comfort the sorrowful
Forgive injuries
Bear wrongs patiently
Pray for the living and the dead
As we read in the Gospel, the Jews used the Roman currency and brought it to the Lord with a question about paying taxes. Jesus explained that what belonged to Caesar must be given to Caesar. This story, however, has a deeper meaning to it. We, too, have been stamped with God's Image since we were created in His own likeness. We rightfully belong, not to ourselves, but to God Who created us and redeemed us in the Body and Blood of His Son, Jesus.
Remove fear and allow hope to fill your heart! Every day may we seek to know Christ more deeply and live more faithfully with patience and joy!
Deacon John Ruscheinsky