The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
James 1:19-27
Psalm 15:2-5
Mark 8:22-26

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture. . . .

“Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?” (Psalm 15:2)

To better understand today’s Gospel we must review the events immediately prior to it. Jesus had just performed such miracles as feeding the four thousand, expelling a demon from a possessed child and restored hearing and speech to a deaf man. Still the Pharisees repudiated Jesus being their long-awaited Messiah and demanded a “heavenly sign,” one of greater magnitude, to prove His identity.

Why were the Pharisees so hardened in unbelief? They had much to lose; for their elaborate body of man-made rules, their mode of worship, their system of prescribed sacrifices and most important their authority -- position, prestige, power and “perks” -- would be curtailed or eliminated. Jesus, had read their hearts and knew that no miracle He performed could ever convince them. Faith must come to them from God and from their sincere desire for the good of “His Chosen,” not from selfish clinging to debased ideas and elevated status. Prudently, out of necessity, Jesus put them to the test, attempting to turn their hearts to God for light rather than spectacular sky-signs.

The old adage, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating” can be applied to the blind Pharisees. For only those who draw close to God in prayer, remain forgetful of self, and who seek only to hear and receive God’s offerings, will learn His truth, grow to love Him and so taste of heaven on this earth.

Father God,
grace us to humbly receive Your Word
and put Your truth and love in practice
in every aspect of our lives.
Amen.

- Marie Bocko, ocds
(mlbocko at borg dot com)

posted by joachim at 4:26 AM