The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Corinthians 2:10-16
Psalm 145:8-14
Luke 4:31-37

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

We have not received the spirit of the world
but the Spirit who is from God...

Today's reading from Saint Paul to the Corinthians, I think is a beautiful one. It highlights the folly of human thinking where we split spiritual and rational thinking when in reality they cannot be split because we are in essence, spiritual creations. Paul tells us that we have been given the spirit of God so that we may understand the things given to us freely by God.

While we can be quick to notice lack in our lives, let us today consider all the wonderful blessings of our world which God bestows on us in abundance...the beauty of nature...the gift of our human faculties, the gift of life itself..... Let us thank Him for the gift of Love which energises us and gives hope and purpose to our lives.

Amen, Amen!

- Cliodhna Doyle
(clia at cliadoyle dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, August 30, 2004
Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Psalm 119:97-102
Luke 4:16-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

I love today's first reading. It encourages us to remember that God provides us with all that is required for salvation. That doesn't mean we should be apathetic and passive, but instead passionate in activity seeking to know and do His will.

It requires docility, gentleness, trust -- qualities that aren't readily associated with success -- at least not as far as the world measures success. Yet these are the qualities that open us up to hear the Word of God and respond eagerly to it.

Let us then be resolved to work hard to trust less in ourselves and more on the Lord. Let us begin every task invoking the Lord's blessing and help; and then, when by His grace we accomplish what seems good and satisfying, let us remember to thank Him for whom all blessings flow.

- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, August 29, 2004
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Sirach 3:17-18,20,28-29
Psalm 68:4-7,10-11
Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24
Luke 14:1,7-14

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's Gospel we have another of Jesus' paradoxical statements. At first you might be inclined to accept it at face value and that might be well and good. However often there is more meaning to what Jesus is saying than just the first impression of the words He speaks. For me, that is the way of today's statement about the exalted being humbled and the humble being exalted.

It is easy to repeat Jesus's words and to even think we understand them and how we should apply them in our lives, but we must remember that because of our broken nature we have a tendency not to see ourselves and other realities as they actually are, but to paint them as we want them to be -- often slanting things for our worldly advantage.

Without God's help we might never arrive at any semblance of the truth, but spend our lives in self deception. This can be demonstrated in today's statement about being humble. If we won't let God help us, we might think we're being humble, but instead engaging in false humility; and if at appropriate times we won't allow ourselves to be legitimately exalted by God and others, we renounce the goodness that is meant to be bestowed. Neither is what God desires

Let us then not be always fearful that we are being confused or deceived, but realize that the possibility exists and rely not on our own wisdom, but the wisdom of God to lead us to right judgment in all things.

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, August 28, 2004
Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
St. Augustine, bishop, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Psalm 33:12-13,18-21
Matthew 25:14-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Be Fruitful and Multiply - Yield on Bestowed Talents

The gifts or talents we are given by God, we are expected to share. These gifts are the inheritance that is God's love in union with us. We recall that inheritance is not something earned, rather it is a birthright.

Our filial relationship established with God through Baptism instills the supreme gift of Life eternal. That gift of eternal life is the treasure that is God's very essence of love, incarnated in each beLoved soul, as the "I have loved you first" kind of talent(gift) to be multiplied and returned to God as more souls loved by and for God.

We receive freely what we do not earn--nor deserve. Yet we understand that if we invest that love aggressively we yield higher returns of souls to God. And would we wish to do less than our best for the One who loves us so lavishly, He who withholds nothing from us, giving us all? Surely, we can give nothing less than our all. We can desire nothing more than all for the One who is our All in all.

Our treasure, measured as love incarnate in the mortality of our living, yields souls from union with the Author of life. So, we too can be fruitful and multiply the talent of love, the talent of our reformed essence in Him ...as love... whether we bring five or two or one, we must bring all we can to Him who gives all He can--to us.

- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, August 27, 2004
Friday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
St. Monica

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Corinthians 1:17-25
Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,10-11
Matthew 25:1-13

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today is the feast of St. Monica, the most persistent of mothers, hounding God incessantly with tearful prayers for her brilliant but wayward son, Augustine. Finally, (was it in weary resignation?) God spoke to him through the high-pitched voice of a little child "Tolle et lege (take and read)", and Augustine, looking around to catch sight of the speaker, obediently picked up St. Jerome's translation of Holy Scripture--and read--and was converted. Tomorrow, we celebrate the life of this great saint.

How many rivers of tears have flowed from the eyes of loving mothers through the centuries? Tears are never wasted--for only God's own Mother knows the mercy that brings erring souls to salvation, perhaps at the very moment their souls leave their bodies---because of saintly mothers who prayed for their children for countless years, and are now long dead themselves? God always listens and is moved, because His love is so like a mother's love.

Praise to the Divine Mercy that wrought our salvation!
To it be honor and glory forever!

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, August 26, 2004
Thursday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Psalm 145:2-7
Matthew 24:42-51

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Stay Awake!"

You do not know when the Son of Man will be coming. This phrase is a powerful reminder of the expected second-coming of Jesus in Glory. But I almost think of that long-awaited second-coming as a third coming.

Jesus arrived on Earth in the human way, being born of His mother some two-thousand years ago. That was His first coming. Jesus will come in glory to judge the living and the Dead--that will be His second coming as we reckon things.

However, Jesus comes to us each day. He comes to us in the Eucharist, if we are able to attend Mass. He comes to us in reading and meditating upon the Bible. He comes to us in the form of people who need our help and our attention.

Keep awake! Be prepared to listen. Be prepared to open your heart to someone who comes to you today. Such a guest is Jesus. Jesus is present within each of the brothers and sisters here on Earth. Too often we are blinded or our sight is dulled to His glorious presence in the people around us. Sleeper Awake! Keep Awake! For when we are awake, we will see Him when He comes. Be prepared for Jesus's arrival. Make haste to welcome Him! Not necessarily on clouds of glory, but in the eyes of someone who hasn't enough to eat, in the heart of a mother who is thinking of destroying the child within her because she can see no other way; in the helpless, the oppressed, or in the depressed. Or perhaps He will come to you casually in the person who just needs to talk and hear consoling words.

Whenever He comes, stay awake! Be ready to welcome Him. For it is in welcoming one of these, the smallest of our brothers and sisters that we truly hail Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, Brother and King.

Stay awake!

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
St. Louis
St. Joseph Calasanz

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Thessalonians 3:6-10,16-18
Psalm 128:1-2,4-5
Matthew 23:27-32

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees." (Matthew 23:27)

Confronted by today's Gospel, many modern religious writers try to mitigate Christ's words, suggesting Jesus, God's Love Incarnate, would never utter such harsh words, that the Gospel writers were merely using the strongly expressive verbal conventions of their day. However, the Gospels, taken in their entirety, refute this notion; for Christ never minced words nor softened the doctrine of repentance for sins, forgiveness by God and the need for reformation of one's life.

Christ's indictment of the religious professionals as "hypocrites" implies that they were only actors, stage players, performing all the proper actions and saying the right words while inwardly filled with every form of corruption. Their vestments were costumes cloaking their inner persons; their many prayers were not heartfelt but simply their following a written script.

Excluding oneself from faith in God is a serious enough sin, but it is doing the work of Satan to teach others errors and so shut the doors to God's kingdom in their faces. It was pride that rejected Christ, since to believe in Him would be admitting that their teachings were wrong or incomplete. Were they to be discredited, they would have to abdicate their comfortable positions and high social status.

We have learned nothing in the intervening two thousand years. Today we continue to kill Christ each time we who call ourselves Christians are unfaithful to Him by adopting worldly values or we denigrate and persecute genuine believers who work diligently to uphold His love and truth.

O Blessed Redeemer,
we ask You to delve deeply into our hearts,
to reveal all those thoughts,
words and actions at enmity with You.
Make us to be Your sincere followers. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Revelation 21:9b-14
Psalm 145:10-11,12-13,17-18
John 1:45-51

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

A popular song right now alludes to our only being able to imagine what heaven is like. They are comforting thoughts to have. Our first scripture reading for today enhances those images with a description of heaven. It still remains difficult for us as humans to consider. One thing noted is that the names of the twelve apostles are inscribed in heaven. Do we ever consider the place that has been set aside for us by Christ? Christ did make reference to preparing a place for each of us. Perhaps on this feast of Saint Bartholomew we might center on one of his attributes as a means to help us attain our heavenly goal. Christ saw him approaching and stated that there was no duplicity in Bartholomew. (John 1:45-51)

How can 'duplicity' cloud our vision, our goals? Unfortunately it seems to be more and more common to experience that people will say one thing in front of someone they want to impress, when they will actually believe something else. This seems especially common in the political sphere. How can a person be a good disciple of Christ when they speak with a "forked" tongue?

God is Truth! A true follower of Christ speaks and adheres to truthfulness, sometimes even at the cost of their life! Our Gospel reading on this special feast gives us time to reflect on our stance with truth. Would that Christ might say of each of us: There is no duplicity in you.

Saint Bartholomew, pray for us.

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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Monday, August 23, 2004

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, August 23, 2004
Monday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
St. Rose of Lima, virgin

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Thessalonians 1:1-5,11-12
Psalm 96:16-5
Matthew 23:13-22

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's gospel we hear the Lord giving it to the Pharisees once again. Even a quick reading of the gospels shows how critical He was of them. The question is, why?

The answer is simple, really. The Pharisees were concerned only with what happened on the outside such as displaying their fasting, showing off their thorough knowledge of the law and repeating many prayers in public. They left the inside totally ignored.

I, too could easily be a Pharisee. I can genuflect, bless myself with holy water, say the hours and the rosary by heart. Good things, yes, but meaningless if I have nothing inside.

This "inside" is what the apostle Paul meant when he said:

“If I speak in human and angelic tongues
but do not have love,
I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy
and comprehend all mysteries
and all knowledge;
if I have all faith so as to move mountains
but do not have love,
I am nothing.
If I give away everything I own,
and if I hand my body over so that I may boast
but do not have love,
I gain nothing.”

It is what is inside a person - love - that matters to our Lord.
All the rest is nothing.

- Don Claunch, SFO

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Sunday, August 22, 2004

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, August 22, 2004
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 66:18-21
Psalm 117:1-2
Hebrews 12:5-7,11-13
Luke 13:22-30

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Today’s readings and Gospel tell us quite a bit about God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. First of all, the gift of salvation is intended to extend far beyond peoples and places that were thought to be the exclusive recipients of God’s grace; and His praises will be sung not just on the lips of those who might be considered "shoo-ins," but also by those who appear by some, to be unseemly.

The second theme is that human suffering is often associated with those who seek entrance to the Kingdom of God, not because God enjoys seeing mankind suffer, but because in intimation of Christ who suffered on our behalf, many have been given the grace to share in His suffering. And finally we're told that the narrow path to God is accessible to all, but many will refuse to take it.

In light of these Gospel truths we have the opportunity to not only cooperate with God and His plan, but to assist others to do the same. It's part of our responsibilities as Christians to extend the Good News of God’s Kingdom everywhere, to those who seem most unsuited, to those who are suffering and to those who are frightened by the narrow path. That's our responsibility, that's our privilege.

If we do our part, we need never fear that God will say “Go away, I do not know you” but will recognize us and will open wide the gates of paradise to us because of the likeness we bear to His Son.

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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Saturday, August 21, 2004

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, August 21, 2004
Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Pius X, pope

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 43:1-7
Psalm 85:9-14
Matthew 23:1-12

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

"Do and observe all things...but do not follow their example"

Jesus points to the spirit of the Word that calls forth the truth of humility. This knowledge begets actions that acknowledge the majestic lordship of the Word, before whom and to whom we pledge our complete love, devotion and service. The understanding and action of humility is begotten by the "I have loved you first" humility of the Word Who loves us, devotedly serves us, redeems us, reforms and renews us... The example to follow is the Word in deed.

Jesus reminds us that calling attention to ourselves, placing ourselves first, or setting ourselves before others, denies the very Truth we profess. We must carefully protect the Word from selfish tendencies to call honor to ourselves. We must not detract from the Truth who is the Word and Who alone is pure Love. It is the Word Who alone is adorable. When the Word finds a home within us it is He that is glorious to behold. We become the swept clean tabernacles of repose, the monstrance where He is found, worshiped, adored. "Whoever humbles himself will be exalted," reveals the truth that when more of God is revealed, there is less of self to distract. This contrasts with a one who exalts self, offering little or no room for the adorable One.

O Lord, may we feed those hungry for Life with the One Eucharistic Self Who alone fills an emptied self with You, our Word, our all in All.

- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

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August 20, 2004

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, August 20, 2004
   Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
   St. Bernard, abbot, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
   Ezekiel 37:1-14
   Psalm 107:2-9
   Matthew 22:34-40

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The vision of Ezekiel in today's first reading is astonishing and dramatic. As children, we delighted in seeing a film rewound, with all the motion in reverse! This vision is a forerunner of Resurrection. It is the power of God's Spirit which will raise us one day from death to life, from despair to joyful triumph.

And Jesus in the Gospel declares that Love of God and neighbor is the pathway to life. Why? Because Love is heart and core of God's being. For that reason, Love is the cornerstone of all the commandments, providing the strength for human beings to keep the commandments. Thus, the Law frees us from death. It's whole purpose is Life. The Psalmist in the very first Psalm declares his delight to be in the Law of the Lord.

Let our thoughts expound on these truths. They should result in a complete abolishing of fear, a solid grounding in Hope, and a joyful acceptance of God's discipline. Even of present suffering.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
  (smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, August 19, 2004
   Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
   St. John Eudes, priest

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
   Ezekiel 36:23-28
   Psalm 51:12-15,18-19
   Matthew 22:1-14

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"A King Who Gave a Wedding Feast for His Son. . ."

Life is the wedding feast the King gives for His Son. We are so fortunate, all of us, to be invited. Sometimes we are disinclined to recognize our good fortune.

Some of us feel that we have better things to do than to show up for the feast. We are above the fray and can't be bothered with what God has arrayed before us.

But more often than not, if we are observant, we see many signs, all around us, of His ever-present feast. We meet the Son in all of the guests.

It is part of our joy to spread the news of the wedding feast, to remind the world of the banquet to which everyone has been invited. We are the light of the world. We are the torches that light the way to the banquet.

Remember today the blessings of life and share them with all those around you. Invite everyone to attend the feast that gives us all the greatest of joy. Be sure that everyone invited is wearing a wedding garment--joy and gratitude at so great a king, so good a Father, so magnificent a Brother.

- JuandelaCruz
  (sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, August 18, 2004
   Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
   St. Jane Frances de Chantal, religious

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
   Ezekiel 34:1-11
   Psalm 23:1-6
   Matthew 20:1-16

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"The last shall be first and the first shall be last."  (Matt. 20:16)

Today's readings describe the great contrast between our fallen human nature and the holiness of the Divine nature. Throughout salvation history God has sought to narrow this gap by sending us priests and prophets through whom, by word and example, He could make Himself better known to His people and so draw them closer to Himself. Ezekiel reveals, however, that even those God has chosen to tend His flock have proven themselves unfaithful, unloving and ungenerous shepherds and so made His sheep vulnerable to destruction by wild beasts. God then resolves to shepherd them Himself.

God accomplished this through His Christ, both Shepherd and Lamb, who in His divine and infinite charity offered Himslf as the final sacrifice to cleanse our sin and make us again acceptable to the Father. In contrast, today's Gospel shows man's selfish resentment toward those who were called late to work in God's vineyard yet received a full day's wages. Christ's parable teaches us that God's love and care is not measured out to us according to how much we do.  He instead looks into our hearts to see our willingness to await His call patiently and then eagerly respond to His call to work, even in the last hour of our day.

Too readily we forget that God reserves all rights to how He dispenses His generosity. We still have much to learn of His wisdom and His love.

Blessed Lord, lavishly pour out Your Spirit of loving generosity upon us. Enlarge our hearts to encompass all people in Your Spirit. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
  (mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 28:1-10
Deuteronomy 33:26-28,30,35-36
Matthew 19:23-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God."

Today we have the oft-misinterpreted gospel of the rich man entering the kingdom of heaven....Very often we can feel a sense of guilt when we want more for ourselves and our family...when we aspire to material success. I think this is a negative aspect of conditioning we have carried with us from previous generations....Riches or wealth in itself is not bad or good...it is our relationship to wealth which determines how positive an impact it has in our lives...

Material wealth or success can be very distracting...it adds complexity ....suddenly we have more responsibility, more to manage...we plan more...we work on building an illusion of security for ourselves...the accumulation of wealth can build fear...we have more to lose...more to protect....we become less dependent on God's providence...growing more dependent on our sense of "control"...But when we recognise material wealth as a gift from God...not ours to own necessarily...but a resource available to us to function in the material world...it's control on us diminishes...and we gain a healthier perspective....

Jesus calls us to live in the NOW and to be ready to enter the kingdom of Heaven...that means being able to recognise the gifts we have in our lives yet being able to give up attachment to those gifts...so that we remain free and open to God's divine plan....

- Cliodhna Doyle

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, August 16, 2004
Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Stephen of Hungary

Scripture from Today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 1:2-5,17 24-28
Deuteronomy 32:18-21
Matthew 19:16-22

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

When I was younger I used to hear all the time about “lukewarm” Christians. I don’t know where this term came from. For all I know it may have had Evangelical Protestant beginnings as half of my family was Catholic and the other Protestant. What I do remember, however, is that I was always taught that being a lukewarm Christian was worse than not being a Christian at all.

It was not until many years later during my formation as a Franciscan that I really learned to appreciate this old term. I saw in Saint Francis, a true “on fire” Christian. There was no lukewarmness in Francis as his Christianity was all or nothing.

Francis undoubtedly got his all or nothing attitude through the scripture we hear in today’s gospel. To be a true follower we are not only to follow the commandments of our Lord, but lay down everything for Him, sometimes even our lives.

Jesus, our Lord, wants us to trust in Him completely and not in our own wisdom or worldly riches. Not all of us can do this as is evident in the case of the sad, rich man in today’s gospel. But for those who choose this path we have a Savior to guide us, help us and provide for us: not just on earth, but through all eternity.

- Don Claunch, SFO

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, August 15, 2004
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
Psalm 45:10-12, 16
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Luke 1:39-56

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Today’s Gospel is the beautiful Magnificat. In it we have the most extensive recorded words of the Holy Mother of God. On this Feast of the Assumption we recall how greatly Mary was favored by the Lord, and how we long in our own flesh to become evermore pleasing ourselves to Him.

By using Mary’s prayer as a guide for our own prayer, we will be embracing a formula that has some of the essential elements for prayer and spiritual growth. Mary publicly “proclaims the greatness of the Lord” and acknowledges God’s sovereignty. In the same prayer she declares her own lowliness and God’s immense favor toward her. To praise God for his greatness and recognize Him for all we know Him to be and in contrast to see our selves as we are, is the essence of humility.

On this solemn feast, let us pray the Magnificat twice. First let us do it in an effort to picture Jesus’ mother Mary as she prayed it. Then let us do it again picturing it as our own prayer knowing that God hears our lowly prayer, raises us to untold heights and remembers us beyond the limits of natural time. Some day then may we too may be raised into heaven and behold The Almighty who has done good things for us.

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, August 14, 2004
Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Maximilian Kolbe, religious, priest, martyr

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32
Psalm 51:12-15, 18-19
Matthew 19:13-15

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Let the Little Children Come to Me

“Let the little children come to me” Jesus instructs his disciples. We too, must make Jess accessible to our children for their formation and salvation. This means that children need to receive an example of faith lived in us. The “Use words if you must,” reminder from St. Francis for preaching the gospel is our own first bringing of our children to Jesus. We also let the children come to Him when we bring them through prayer to His friendship, mercy and peace. Prayer taught, is the dialogue of a lifelong friendship and access to Jesus.

“Let the little children come to me” in the sacraments where they find communion, healing, forgiveness, grace and peace. Baptized as priests, prophets and kings we bring our children to find Jesus in the graces to worship and heal, to proclaim their faith in the most challenging of situations and to receive the inheritance that is Jesus alone. Joined with the communion of saints, there is the strength of the union with Jesus and all souls who are one with Him to navigate the challenges of life. We bring our children to Mass as often as possible to start the lifelong joy of unity with and in Him. We bring them to Jesus in the sacrament of reconciliation to know His forgiveness, counsel and peace.

“Let the little children come to me” also means we bring them the study of the scriptures, rich traditions, dogmas and teachings of the church. We bring our children to Him in so many ways in their formation so they are very close to Him in all ways, always.

O Lord, let me hasten to bring those souls who are your precious children to you. Amen.

- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, August 13, 2004
Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Pontian, pope, martyr
St. Hippolytus, priest, martyr

Scripture from Friday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63
Isaiah 12:2-6
Matthew 19:3-12

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Today, the prophet exhorts Jerusalem to be faithful. And in the Gospel, Jesus says the same to married couples. Answering the questions of the Pharisees, Jesus asserts that God intended marriage (one man and one woman) should be permanent, until death. Church annulments are perfectly in conformity with the teaching of Jesus, for permanence implies both a fully mature consent to sacrifice, compromise with the “other”, and share one’s gift of one’s whole person with the “other.” It was never meant to be easy, but rather fulfilling for the spiritual well-being of both parties.

Today, married couples need to ask: 1) What are my expectations in marriage? Are they realistic and attainable? 2) To what extent are we giving our whole selves for the well-being, growth, and happiness of each other? And let us pray and work toward strengthening the very concept of marriage in our particular Christian community. It is sacred. It is the basis of a healthy society.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, August 12, 2004
Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 12:1-2
Psalm 78:56-59, 61-52
Matthew 18:21--19:1

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“How often must I forgive him?”

Peter is such a good example for all of us because he so exhibits the traits we each show in our own way. Here he asks Jesus “What is the least we can get away with?” How often do we hear the question of how little must I do? For example, one old-school kind of Catholic might ask, “How soon must I arrive and how long must I stay for it to count as Mass attendance?”

In our love of God too many of us tend to be a people of the minimum. How much do I have to pray? How often must I go to Mass? Is it really a sin to miss a holy day of obligation? We can see evidence of this trend in the pattern of the Church to waive so many of these days when they occur on a Saturday or Monday. Epiphany is no longer celebrated on its January 6 date, but on the Sunday closest to that. There is something deeply sad in being a people of the minimum.

Think about it. What did Peter have in mind for the end of the road? Once we have forgiven enough, what do we do then? We forgive up to seven times and then turn around and give the offender a punch in the nose? What is the alternative to forgiving?

As Jesus points out--there is no alternative. We have been forgiven infinitely more than we will every have to forgive while here on Earth. How can I then call on another to pay their debt? Unless I wish to pay my own, I would be wiser to forgive.

The law of forgiveness cannot be compromised. Rather than asking “How much must we forgive?” let us rather say “Thank you, Lord, for your infinite forgiveness.” Let each of us become a mirror of the Father as we practice and learn to forgive. In doing so, we will begin to understand the measure of His love.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Clare, religious, foundress, virgin

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 9:1-7, 10:18-22
Psam 113:1-6
Matthew 18:15-20

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“Where two or three gather in my name, I am there in their midst.”
(Matthew 18:20)

Scripture reveals that God’s very essence is love. It follows that those whom He created “in his image” should bear a strong resemblance to Him by reflecting His love. Our first reading shows God guarding those who love and obey Him; these, His true children, will be spared death by being marked with the letter “tau” which interestingly is written as an X, in the shape of a cross.

In today’s Gospel, Christ prepares His Apostles to establish and preserve His Church in God’s love and truth that He revealed to them. He emphasizes that God’s ordinances must be faithfully followed to create unity and harmony among His believers. He instructs them that if two parties cannot resolve a dispute between them privately, other church members can help arbitrate a solution. Should the guilty party refuse to repent and reform his ways in keeping with God’s law of love, then he should be treated as one who has willfully excluded himself from their fellowship. Jesus speaks of sin’s seriousness; for the one who sins against a brother is also sinning against his Creator.

Christ assures His apostles that His church will endure all hardships and triumph over all wrongs; for whenever they gather to pray in His name, He will be present to guide and strengthen them through the rigors experienced by His sheep.

Lord God,
make us people of prayer,
that You may fill us
with Your love and truth to overflowing
and so promote peace and joy among Your people.
Amen

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

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr

Scripture from Tuesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
2 Corinthians 9:6-10
Psalm 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9
John 12:24-26

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Today the Church honors St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr, of whom tradition tells us that he joked with his persecutors while being burned to death. It is said that he told them that he was done on one side and could be turned over now. St. Lawrence sets an extreme example of the cheerful giver referred to in the first reading. God does not ask many of us to go to that point in our serving Him.

In the gospel reading from St. John for today, Christ makes a startling yet simplistic statement to those who had been with Him. “Whoever serves me must follow me.” (John 12:24-26) Why would He make such an obvious statement? Could it be that disciples then and now would get caught up in their supposed ‘mission’ and forget who they were following? Of course we know the answer to be true. We get too busy to pray, to study about our faith and even sometimes to attend church...all in the name of serving. Who then are we serving? Who has become our ‘god’ that we follow?

Through our baptism we have put on Christ. The three times we were immersed in water during the baptismal ceremony signify the three days that Christ spent in the darkness in the tomb before emerging into the brightness of a new day and into a garden, so symbolic of new life. We too step forth from darkness on our baptismal day. Christ suffered for us so that we can be restored and prepared to serve as His disciples. Such preparation is only the beginning, though necessary, of course. It is up to us to choose many times a day to be following Christ, as there are many ‘strange gods’ around us. Christ also urges that we ask for the graces necessary for us to serve Him and that He can make every grace abundant for us. It is all so simple to do! We just need to pray and persevere! St. Lawrence, pray for us.

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, August 9, 2004
Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Carmelite religious, martyr

Scripture from Today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 1:2-5,17 24-28
Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14
Matthew 17:22-27

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

O, my dear Lord, how many times I have tried to glimpse your face! To see your awesome grandeur if only for a second. But, yet I still look without seeing. Even your great servant Moses was only allowed to see your back.

But then you gave your servant Ezekiel a vision of your magnificence. And the splendor was so great he struggled for words to describe it. But he was able to describe your glory to share with all your servants throughout the ages.

How marvelous your glory must be! A throne of sapphire! A man’s body of such brightness it gleamed as the shiniest metal! Like the brightest of fires! And all around was surrounded with indescribable splendor!

O Lord, to get a glance of that astonishing glory! And yet I still look, not seeing, but with comfort -- knowing that one day I will gaze upon your awesome glory for eternity. Alleluia!

- Don Claunch, SFO

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, August 8, 2004
The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Wisdom 18:6-9
Psalm 33:1, 12, 18-22
Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Luke 12:32-48

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Today’s readings speak to us about faith; it is a word and subject we’ve heard about countless times. Most of us would say we have some faith and perhaps are satisfied enough that we have any faith at all. For those however who want to love God more, having just some faith, is not enough.

It doesn’t take a lot of sensitivity to see that life is full of situations that test our faith--calls us to respond with more faith and give us opportunities to make choices based on faith.

If growing in faith was just a matter of strength of will or character that would be difficult enough, but it is also a matter of reliance on things not tangible and a God who sometimes “seems” aloof and far away. How then can we grow in faith, maintain our faith and even if God wills it, sacrifice every thing we have and are--for faith? The only answer is beyond us and our own capabilities. It resides within the heart of God who desired that we might have access to Him and His strength and glory.

How can we find our way to God’s heart, to that treasure trove of love and power? First of all we look within. Within, because by the power of Baptism, God ordained to take up His dwelling place there and secondly we look to His Church, which is the steward of His sacramental grace.

Let us then, freely mine those sources of untold wealth. Let us consider that God is always close (within) and in the visible signs He left His Church to safeguard until the end of time.

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, August 7, 2004
Saturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Sixtus II, pope, martyr, and companions, martyrs
St. Cajetan, priest

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Habakkuk 1:12--2:4
Psalm 9:8-13
Matthew 17:14-20

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“Nothing Will Be Impossible For You” (Matthew 17:20)

“...your disciples...could not cure him.” Jesus explains that their lack of faith is the cause of their incompetence. Faith requires one to believe first with trust in God who alone is worthy of trust. Faith precedes understanding; faith serves as the foundation upon which all is understandable. Faith requires humility, a ‘standing under’ in order to ‘understand.’ One must generously relinquish self-ordained control in order to cooperate competently.

Our best example is always the origin of all, God. He is our model of perfect humility. We clearly see His humility in His incarnation, choosing the simple, quiet womb of a little soul turned fully to her God to become the first dwelling of God made man. The rough straw and the stench of a damp, dark stable is the humble cradle of God’s incarnation revealed, accessible to the poor and wise, the mortal and the divine. Complete abandonment of our pure and sinless God incarnate suffers the effects of all sin for all time to redeem what sin destroys. God’s humility descends below all that is low.

Humility empties one’s soul to desire nothing except what Love gives. The tiny mustard seed of faith is conceived in the fertile womb of humility and grows magnificently to shelter, shade and show forth what seems inconceivable. What seems impossible is possible in the humble faithful soul that generously cooperates with the Creator.

O Lord,
you are worthy of trust,
my gift,
my competence,
my all.

- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, August 6, 2004
Feast of The Transfiguration of the Lord

Scripture from Friday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Daniel :9-10, 13-14
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
2 Peter 1:16-19
Luke 9:28-36

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

All of us in our own lives have had “transfiguration experiences”, whether it is in a moment of prayer when we suddenly realize the presence of God, and His voice calling us to special mission. Perhaps it is in a moment of loving, or of suddenly realizing the depth of love one has for another person. Perhaps it is in seeing God in the face of a child, and being transformed by the beauty of that vision. These are not mere private fantasies, for to realize God’s presence in certain people is to touch on the reality of the Transfiguration on the Mount. For God is present in all of His creation. Whenever we become aware of that fact so solidly based on our theology, then we are bound to be moved to awe, delight, and joy as the sacred reality touches our souls.

This was the experience of Moses when God appeared to him, and was the experience of the apostles who heard the voices speaking on the mountain, saw the glory in Jesus’ whole person, and heard the Father’s thunderous voice approving the vision, and warning Peter, James, and John, to listen to His Son.

Let us fall on our knees in wonder at the presence of God flooding our souls in light. Let all fear be cast out as we rise, aware that we, too, are light-bearers to our brothers and sisters. Let us listen to His Voice, guiding our decisions this day, and drawing us to greater courage as we face whatever sufferings and difficulties the day will bring.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, August 5, 2004
Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:12-15, 18-19
Matthew 16:13-21

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“Who Do You Say that I Am?”

Opinions differ about Jesus. Some say that he was a good man and a great teacher. Others say that He was a weakling leading weaklings who need religion as a crutch. Still others say that He didn’t even exist. And yet others say with Peter, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

This is what we profess. But how do we profess and live it?

Words are a start. We defend our faith and the person of Jesus Christ when the occasion calls for it. But words alone are insufficient.

Our best proclamation of the divinity of Jesus Christ is in our actions toward others. We say, “You are the Christ” when we help someone who turns to us in hope and desperation. We say, “You are the Son of the Living God,” when we love someone that others consider unlovable.

We proclaim the divinity and the power of our Lord when we live lives of chastity (according to our station in life) and obedience to the just admonitions of the Holy Catholic Church.

We proclaim the power of our Lord through our love of all of His creation and most particularly through the substantive signs of that love that we share with those in need--financial, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual.

Do not allow Peter’s claim to be a thing of words only. Allow it to seize your heart to take a grip on you and to transform your entire life. The world can never have too many Blessed Mother Teresa’s. When we proclaim Peter’s word perfectly, we help to build the kingdom of God, and we ourselves become the instruments of that Kingdom.

Then meditate upon Peter’s words and let them take root in your heart. There they will transform you, and at the same time, a part of the world. You will be both blessed and a blessing, moving everyone closer to that time when “Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, August 4, 2004
Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Saint John Vianney, priest

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 31:1-7
Jeremiah 31:10-13
Matthew 15:21-28

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“Woman you have great faith! Your wish will come to pass.” (Mt.15:28)

Today’s first reading shows that God’s faithfulness to His people never wavers. He had allowed them to be scattered in exile because of their lack of faithfulness; but at the proper time He brought them back to their own country to replant their land and enjoy God’s fruits. He had chosen them for a specific purpose and concentrated all His attention to their fulfilling it, making His truth and His love known to the world.

The Gospel then should not surprise us. Christ made the Jews His first consideration and so hesitated to expand His ministry beyond them to the Canaanite woman who asked Him to heal her child. He was sent specifically to gather together the lost sheep of Israel and bring them to a clearer understanding of what God required of them whom He had chosen to make Him, the one true God, known to the world.

What finally moved Christ to heal the foreigner’s child was what He saw into this woman’s heart. She didn’t look upon Jesus as a person who performed magic worked by pagan gods; instead she saw the God of Israel at work in Christ and put her faith in Him. Her persistence, her firm belief and her humble and sincere response to Jesus won her heart’s desire.

O God, our Father,
You have blessed us with Christ in numerous ways,
but most deeply touching
is Your compassion toward all who suffer.
May we too express this to others.
Amen

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

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, August 3, 2004
Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Tuesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22
Psalm 102:16-23, 29
Matthew 14:22-36

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

On bumper stickers or on other signage we often read the expression ‘Faith Can Move Mountains’. We might think this is a nice sentiment and believe the principle behind it but isn’t there always that part of ourselves that puts obstacles in the way of our Faith? We come up with countless rational reasons why Faith alone will not provide for us....

When Peter began to walk on water to meet Jesus, he almost immediately became aware of his fear and the obstacle of the strong wind...and then he began to sink. Jesus calls us to have strong Faith. This Faith can work on many levels.... First and foremost we’re called to have Faith in Jesus and His message of eternal hope and love. When we have strong faith in His message, we walk a direct path in life. We’re also called to have strong faith in ourselves, believing that with Jesus we have the power to overcome all the odds and be victorious at the end.

Today let us put our fears in their place. Let our fears not be an excuse for us to avoid living our life’s purpose. Today, let us strengthen our Faith so that all that is meant for us will come to pass.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

- Cliodhna Doyle
(clia at cliadoyle dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, August 2, 2004
Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop
St. Peter Julian Eymard, priest

Scripture from Today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 28:1-17
Psalm 119:29, 43, 79-80, 95, 102
Matthew 14:13-21

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Oh, what a compassionate God we have!

We’ll never know what went on inside the heart and mind of our Lord when he went away to a deserted place after hearing of the death of John the Baptist. Did He cry? Did He pray for John? Did He ask the Father, “Why?” We’ll never know.

But what scripture does tell us is that Our Lord has great compassion for all people. This is evident from His reaction to John’s death. But more so at the Lord’s action upon returning to the people. As He looked upon the thousands who had come in search of Him he took pity and saw what a lost flock they were. He healed them, He fed them.

We are called to be Christlike. We, too, are to be compassionate. We, too, are to heal the sick, feed the hungry, to the best of our abilities. The flock was lost two thousand years ago; they are lost today. It is time for us to answer our call now and tend to the flock with compassion, love and with the gifts the Father has given us.

- Don Claunch, SFO

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, August 1, 2004
The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23
Psalm 90:3-6, 12-14, 17
Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11
Luke 12:13-21

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

In all of today’s readings there is the same theme. It’s one that we’ve heard over and over and yet for most of us it’s not something we whole-heartedly embrace and make a tenant of our lives. The theme is simply put -- all things are vanity. How sensible and indeed true all of this sounds! Why then is it something we so often fail to live? Why is there seeming disconnect between what we know and what we do?

The answer is one that’s important to keep in mind; namely, we have a fallen nature, we’re not as God intended. Remembering that sin has harmed us, reminds us that we’re constantly in need of help. Not just from time to time, but all the time.

Our enemy is ever vigilant, ready to trip us up. Appeal to my weaknesses and I might cave in; appeal to my strengths and I fail to remember that they’re a gift and begin to rely on myself. There’s no end to the occasions and forms of deception that find their way into our lives.

If we didn’t know better, we could always be in despair because surely the problem is bigger than us. So then however, is the solution. In fact remembering that our help comes from the Lord, can give us the help and encouragement we need. Sometimes, just in time!

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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