The Catholic Calendar for Friday, October 31, 2003
Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Romans 9:1-5
Psalm 147:12-15,19-20
Luke 14:1-6

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's First Reading we hear Paul lamenting over the disbelief of his fellow Jews who could not or would not accept all the logical evidence he was presenting regarding Jesus -- the Messiah. It is a situation that many of us might have experienced -- if not specifically regarding the authentic teachings of Jesus and the Catholic Church, then other more secular things that we have wanted to communicate to people we love.

The frustration, as we know, is immense. How are we to cope with disappointing people and circumstances, how are we to remain charitable and hopeful.

The answer always can be found in the mystery of Christ as both man and God; for, in it we recognize that Jesus as God and man suffered enormous frustration and opposition. At every turn there were those who were ready to scorn and impugn His message and motives.

If it was so with the Son of God - should we expect anything less? Let us then unite the disappointments we experience, especially those with people we love, people who seem to have the power to diminish our love, our joy. Let us offer our little suffering to that of the Father who suffers all in Jesus His Son.

There is no power for good which does not come from your covenant,
and no promise to hope in, that your love has not offered.
- from the Opening Prayer for the 30th Week in Ordinary Time.

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds (drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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posted by joachim at 4:11 AM