Sunday
The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, November 9, 2004
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiek 47:1-2,8-9,12
Psalm 46:2-3,5-6,8-9
1 Corinthians 3:9-11
John 2:13-22
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
I had to do some research to find out again why this is such an important feast day in the church's calendar. I wasn't disappointed! The details below are taken from a homily given by Fr. Raymond J. de Souza, Canada, in 2003.
(www.newmanhouse.ca/homily/nov9.html)
St. John Lateran Cathedral was the original residence of the pope up to only 600 years ago. It was given to the church after a time of Christian persecution by Emperor Constantine, who was the first to permit and officially sanction the Christian faith. He gave the Lateran Basilica to the Church after conquering Rome in an epic battle in 313. The night before that battle he saw a vision in the sky in which the "Chi-Ro" (the symbol of Christ) appeared with the Latin words: "in this sign you will conquer."
The Lateran Basilica was dedicated in 326AD. It was sacked by vandals after the fall of Rome and Pope Leo the Great restored it about 460. In 896 it was almost totally destroyed by an earthquake. It was rebuilt only to be destroyed by fire 400 years later. It was rebuilt again, and destroyed again by fire. It was rebuilt yet again and still stands today.
So? Our foundation is always Christ, and Christ guaranteed that the Church He would build upon Peter would never fail.
"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
- Cliodhna Doyle
(clia at cliadoyle dot com)
The Catholic Calendar for Monday, November 8, 2004
Thirty-second week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
Titus 1:1-9
Psalm 24:1-6
Luke 17:1-6
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
Forgiveness. . . .
A fairly common word to us Christians. Much used, fairly well understood but perhaps not fully practiced.
But for us Christians, our Lord makes practicing forgiveness simple. JUST DO IT! We are to forgive, and forgive and forgive again and again. Seven times a day. Seventy times seven times. Always. Every time. How much more simple can it get?
Well, for us humans it's not that simple. We're often guilty of forgiving but only up to a point. We forgive--for now--only to bring up the sin committed against us at a later time when it suits our own needs. Is this what Christ said? That we should forgive for only a period of time and then un-forgive?
NO! We are to forgive. Period. And forgive and forgive again and again. Period. Easy to do? No. But we have the ultimate example in Jesus who displayed true forgiveness even when suffering on the cross. (And He forgives us now even when we fail to forgive.) Learn from Him and just do it.
- Don Claunch, SFO
The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, November 7, 2004
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
3 Maccabees 7:1-2,9-14
Psalm 17:1,5-6,8,15
2 Thessalonians 2:16--3:5
Luke 20:27-38
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
In today's First Reading and in the Gospel we see scriptural reference to the reality of life after death. Belief in an afterlife provides us with a meaningful rational for our present behavior and actions. Without such beliefs we're unaware that the consequences of our decisions, though often serious, go beyond being just temporal. When, however, we consider our actions in light of eternity, human relationships with all the intrinsic suffering that they embrace, take on an entirely different dimension: an eternal one.
In our present culture which is so accustomed to instant gratification and the avoidance of anything difficult, suffering in order to obtain eternal life seems ludicrous except for what we have been graced to know and believe.
Let us pray that God will help us to assess everything in light of eternity and do everything so as to one day enjoy everlasting life in His presence. And as St. Paul says in the Second Reading: "May the Lord rule your hearts in the love of God and the constancy of Christ."
- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)
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