Monday.blog
The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 19, 2004
Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from Monday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Micah 6:1-4,6-8
Psalm 50
Matthew 12:38-42
A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:
Just the other night a local pastor was relating a story to me about one of the members of his congregation. It seems that the elderly woman made plans to travel to Florida from here in Wyoming at quite a large expense to see a popular evangelist whose ministry consists of, among other things, miraculous healings. Her justification to her pastor for going was that if only she could see the evangelist in person she may be healed of the many health problems that came with her age and that if she could only see these miracles occur that it would be a sign of the great power of Christ. The woman made the trip and came home complaining to the pastor that the crowd was so large that she did not even get close to the evangelist and she was unable to see any miracles because her view was blocked by the many people there. She commented to the pastor that she doubted the power of God to do anything for her.
Now, I relate this story not as a commentary on healing ministries, evangelists or anything of the like, but rather to show that today is not really any different than 2000 years ago. Our Lord showed many wondrous signs of His power and who He was. Many of these signs consisted of what Paul called the gifts of the Spirit, such as miracles, healings, discernment etc. The Pharisees had seen (or at least heard of) many of these. And so have we!
So why are we still eager for a sign? Are we too a part of the “evil and unfaithful age?” St. James said “every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights.” Yes, and we should welcome and seek all these great gifts and signs. But remember, we have seen all these and have seen the greatest sign as Christ foretold: “so will the Son of Man spend three days and three nights in the bowels of the earth,” and we are witnesses to His resurrection. Have you been seeking some sign or some manifestation of the Spiritual gifts to such an extent that you sometimes fail to see the greatest of all? If so, take some time and put all this aside for awhile as you realize there is no further need for a sign. For it is because of the greatest sign that we are able to be with Him today.
Christ is risen. Alleluia!
- Don Claunch, SFO
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