The Catholic Calendar for Monday, February 23, 2004
Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
St. Polycarp, bishop, martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
James 3:13-18
Psalm 103:1-4,8,10,12-13
Mark 9:14-29

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

I am blessed in that I can often attend weekend or longer retreats with fellow believers who are striving to be ever closer to our Lord. I meet many people who I consider wise and knowledgeable in the things of faith.

The only complaint I have about this is that I must return to what my wife calls “the real world” and face all that we must face in our lives.

In today's first reading we hear St. James speak of one of those things we must face: wisdom that does not come from above. Take a look once again at what James says. Wisdom from the earth comes with jealousy, selfish ambition, disorder and foul practices of every kind. In fact he states plainly that it is unspiritual and even demonic. It is sad that we see so much of this type of wisdom today.

But James also tells us about the wisdom that comes from above. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, merciful, fruitful, constant and sincere. A good description of those I meet on retreat that I consider wise, and a stark contrast to what the world considers wise.

As we rapidly approach Lent let us examine our own wisdom. Are we humble in our wisdom, or full of selfish ambition? Are we at peace or find our lives full of disorder. If you find yourself selecting the latter descriptions, make it your Lenten intention to fully seek and accept the wisdom that comes only from God.

- Don Claunch, sfo

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2004 The Way, The Truth, The Life

posted by joachim at 4:13 AM