The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, October 17, 2004
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 17:8-13
Psalm 121:1-8
2 Timothy 3:14--4:2
Luke 18:1-8
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
Today's Gospel illustrates the contrast between those who fail to recognize their sinfulness and those who see their faults and shortcomings with painful clarity. The story shows us the state not only of their souls, but their attitudes which spill over into their behavior. It is interesting to notice that the one portrayed as the sinner felt justified and pretty self-satisfied, while the one forgiven and contrite--the one depicted as saved--as feeling miserable.
Among other things, isn't this parable meant to show us that feeling good about ourselves is not necessarily an accurate indicator of the state of our soul and our relationship to God? Surely we can be deceived by our emotions and fail altogether to make correct judgments.
What then are we to do? How will we know if we are pleasing God and doing what He desires? The best way is to ask Him. Yes, ask Him to provide us with His light so that we might see and judge things correctly.
If we stay close to the Lord in prayer, He will not fail to give us all that is required to know and do His will.
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening; (1 Sm 3:9)
You have the words of everlasting life. (Jn 6:69)
- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)
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