Psalm Reflection: Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B)

“You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” -Psalm 145:16

Want do you want? Not right this second, but out of life—what do you truly want and desire? It is important to be able to reflect and put a name on the things our heart truly desires. However, most of the time once we identify what we want, we go right into action mode: what am I going to do to get there? What practical steps and short term goals do I need to accomplish to get what I want? There is a lot of “I” in those thoughts, and not a lot of room for God. God placed the desires for perfect love, truth, goodness, beauty and being on every human heart, and only He can fulfill them in the way we desire, whether we realize it or not. Yet, God is often the last person we turn to, and usually only when our plans and goals are falling apart. Asking God to fix your plans is like asking an iron chef to cook your TV dinner—God can do better. What if every plan, goal, dream or hope we had started and ended in the hands of God? What if we gave God permission to destroy our goals and plans in order to fulfill our desires in ways we never thought possible? This week, take some time to reflect on what you want your life to look like in 5 or 10 years. Make a list of things you hope will have happened by then, and take it to chapel. Offer this prayer for each one: 

“God I trust you with ________, I trust you to fulfill it or take it away to give me something better. Take care of everything.” 

Let this personal litany open your heart to trusting God more completely this week. We are praying for you. 

See you in the Eucharist!