The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 24, 2004
Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Sharbel Makhluf, priest

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 7:1-11
Psalm 84:3-6, 8, 11
Matthew 13:24-30

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“This is the Temple of the Lord!”

We may wonder with awe at the gift the temple of our souls are. Jeremiah is told by the Soul Dweller, the Lord, to “stand at the gate of the house of the Lord and there proclaim His message.” We too hear this Word at the gate of our souls. When we enter to pray, to worship the Lord, He commands us to reform our ways and deeds so He may remain with us in this place made holy by His presence. He reminds us not to deceive ourselves and declare this is the temple of the Lord!”

He says. “Only if you thoroughly reform your ways and your deeds...and no longer follow strange gods to your own harm, will I remain with you in this place...”

God is the perfect good and will not abide where there is evil. The temple of our souls must be a fit dwelling and may be made so by frequent reception of the Eucharist which cleanses the contrite soul of venial sin. The sacrament of Reconciliation removes mortal and all sin. Our communion with our Lord requires a constant fiat, the “I do” of beloveds. He always remains. It is we who must return to welcome the Lord “to this place forever.”

O Lord, may we return and remain faithful in You, always. Amen

- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

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posted by joachim at 4:30 AM