The Catholic Calendar for Friday, September 17, 2004
Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Robert Bellarmine, bishop, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Psalm 17:1,6-8,15
Luke 8:1-3

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Can you imagine what life would be like if we thought our last breath would lead us into a suffocating vacuum, a destructive darkness? Surely this would cause a certain panic as we faced our own final moments and death. How could we endure the loss of a loved one?

No wonder that St. Paul tells the Corinthians that if Christ is not raised from the dead, then there is no hope, no forgiveness, no salvation, and we are the most foolish of men to follow His teaching. In the light of this key doctrine, every suffering can be endured, and our own death can be faced with tranquillity, hope, and even joy. It's the one missing piece in the puzzle of life's inconsistencies. It's the answer to every 'why'.

Think of those women whom we read about in Luke's Gospel today? They were willing to sacrifice everything--their security, their wealth, and even their reputations to follow this Teacher who gave them the answers to life's drudgery and injustice.

There is nothing at all that we cannot endure if we will rise into incredible light, joy, and life. What energy these thoughts give us today to pray, work, study, and love God and our neighbor.

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

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posted by joachim at 5:03 AM