The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 22, 2004
Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Mary Magdalene

Scripture from Wednesday's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10
Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17
Matthew 13:1-9

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Whom are you looking for?"

The stone was rolled away and He was not there.

Where had they taken Him? Who would have done such a thing?

What is left but to weep when you can't even visit and honor the grave site of the one you loved? What further can be visited upon you?

And then people start asking you things? Why do you weep? Well, why do you suppose? And not once but twice--you're asked the same thing? Why do I weep? Someone has taken the body of the Lord and hidden Him away.

And then the gardner, the one tending this place comes and asks. "Whom are you looking for?"

"If you've taken Him. . ."

"Mary. . ."

Jesus comes to us and we do not see Him. Jesus touches us, and we do not know it. Jesus speaks our name, and suddenly our eyes open.

Listen. Listen for your name--it is always on His lips. He is asking you to look and to see Him in the faces of the poor, of those who need help, of those who hurt, of those who do not yet know Him. See Him and welcome Him and invite Him to come forth. And you will draw from them the Jesus that is present within them, waiting for the chance, waiting for the door to open just a little.

Listen! Do you hear Him speak your name? If not, listen harder! He calls us.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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posted by joachim at 4:09 AM