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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posted by joachim at 5:08 AM