Friday.blog
The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, October 10, 2004
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Kings 5:14-17
Psalm 98:1-4
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Luke 17:11-19
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
As faithful and practicing Catholics we may find ourselves at times taking for granted the beautiful traditions and immense wealth of our Catholic faith and think all that it contains belongs to us by right and not as a gift.
Today's readings remind us that God offers Himself in all His immensity not just to us and the "chosen ones" of ages long past, but to everyone--in every age, in every time. Our recognition of this might help us to be less complacent about--and more grateful for--the faith we have embraced. It might tend to make us cherish and protect it, lest it wither and disappear.
Perhaps it is a lesson that we as Catholics are just now seeing with ever-greater frequency--that those of other denominations with great joy and unabashed enthusiastic commitment are the ones that are proclaiming with more "takers", the Good News of redemption.
Let us not be disheartened; but remember how dear we and all others are to the Lord. Let us never fail to be like the one Samaritan who came back to Jesus to praise and render thanksgiving. And what is it that you might give praise and thanksgiving for? Perhaps the often taken-for-granted fact that we have been blessed to be Catholic and to belong to the Church that is the treasury of the promises of Christ. Knowing this and believing this, may we then be more humble, more grateful, more empowered then ever, to be authentic and convincing witnesses for Christ.
- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)
The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, October 9, 2004
Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
St. Denis, bishop, martyr and companions, martyrs
St. John Leonardi, priest
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Galatians 3:22-29
Psalm 105:2-7
Luke 11:27-28
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
Hear and Observe (see Luke 11:27-28)
Jesus replies to the acclamation, blessing the one whose womb and breasts brought forth His life and sustained Him; that what truly gives Life to Him is the soul that makes Him present in our Living.
Like Mary, we will to prayerfully conceive the Word, to pray, ponder and grow it, and give the Word viability until He is beheld first by us and then by others through us. It is He that becomes evident in our lives and He, that like Mary, we sustain by lovingly nurturing His Life into mature faith.
Quite like the transformation of a pregnant woman who grows new life in the emptiness that is intended for creation of life, we cooperate with our Lord to conceive and bear the new life that is known as "God with us" -- "Emmanuel."
Empty of self, we find He becomes more and more present, until quite noticeably He presents Himself in the monstrances of our lives.
To sustain "God with us" we must truly conform our lives to Him; we love Him, we bear all things for love of Him; and it becomes Christ who is seen. Yes, His life is nurtured by the milk of our perpetual observance of Him; but then, who would take the eyes of their prayerful communion, the shared affection that hastens one's will to conform to Him, their beloved? The attentive beloved hears and observes what the Love desires.
O Beloved Lord,
may we conceive,
nurture
and sustain You with us,
observing Your every desire.
Amen
- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)
The Catholic Calendar for Friday, October 8, 2004
Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Galatians 3:7-14
Psalm 111:1
Luke 11:15-26
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
In today's Gospel, we're indignant at the Pharisees for accusing Jesus of casting out demons by the power of a satanic god, Beelzebul. In the same way, we can be angry at those religions that tell us that, as Catholics, we're going to hell! Where does such thinking come from? Why does one religion see another religion as evil? Such accusations can come from ignorance and misunderstanding, but they can also come from envy, fear, or outright maliciousness. How do we respond to such attacks?
First, as Bishop Polycarp in the second century warned the Presbyters of the early church, one must never give way to anger. Why? Because that only distorts our thinking, and may even lead us to sinful thoughts and deeds against our accusers. Rather, as Jesus did, he cooly reasoned with his enemies, saying that a house divided against itself cannot stand for very long. By reasoning, he hoped to change their minds, and even their hearts.
How important it is for us to know our faith thoroughly, so thoroughly that we can calmly point out errors in others' thinking, while at the same time giving them sound doctrine that shows forth the light of God's truth.
Do you own a copy of the New Catechism of the Catholic Church? It is beautifully and forcefully written, citing Holy Scripture and the Fathers of the Church thousands of times, and unfolding the beautiful Catholic tradition. It is sound, authoritative, and complete. And, if you have access to the Internet, dip into the treasures of the Pope's recent documents on vital modern issues.(see: www.vatican.va) We have total and instant access to all information in these days. Let us inform our minds and hearts that we may respond well and in charity to those who would attack us.
- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)
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