The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Paul of the Cross, priest

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ephesians 3:2-12
Isaiah 12:2-6
Luke 12:39-48

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted." (Luke 12:48)

Popular opinion believes the seeking of material comfort as the primary goal of life. Fulfilling the "American Dream" does provide a sense of satisfaction, personal accomplishment, but often at a great price. Physically and psychologically, preoccupation with "getting" and "spending," trying to constantly elevate or maintain one's standard of living, can also cause great stress. More harmful is expending all of our energies in fulfilling our "wants," leaving no time for thought of God. In our "dream state" of self-sufficiency, we become spiritually anesthetized, not realizing that all the things we enjoy are made possible by the talents with which God has gifted us, the many doors of opportunity He has opened. In consequence, we feel little need to put our energies into promoting His love, truth, justice and peace.

St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians reviews God's plan of salvation, calling us to draw near to God, speaking to Him as freely as a child would to a loving Father, giving thanks to Him for His blessing of a new life in Christ. Christ expresses it more strongly by saying that the relationship between man and God should be like that of a servant toward a loving Master.

We pray that God touching human lives will turn us away from sin and self-indulgence and enkindle in us His fire of love and truth and the desire to share these gifts with others.

O Redeemer Lord,
help us to renounce our selfish "declaration of independence" from God;
teach us to serve one another,
with the same generosity as You served Your Father.
Amen.

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

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posted by joachim at 4:49 AM