The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Tuesday of the Thirty-third week in Ordinary Time
St. Margaret of Scotland
St. Gertrude, virgin

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Revelation 3:1-6,14-22
Psalm 15:2-3a,3bc-4ab,5
Luke 19:1-10

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

During the month of November, the Church draws our attention to the souls in purgatory and we offer many prayers for the "poor souls." Indeed, we want to continue our prayers on their behalf, but in some ways they are better off than some of us might be. They know that they will be in heaven one day. None of us have that guarantee even though we try to live good lives and stay in the state of grace.

The First Reading for today makes one sit up and take note. Reference is made to a person having performed many good works and yet be in poor favor with God. In fact scripture references that, because of their being lukewarm in their relationship to God, He will spit them out of His mouth. This is pretty strong language! This is pretty poor pay for all those good works! This brings us back to intentions or attitudes. Who are the good works for? Are we doing them for our own glorification or to build up the kingdom of God? This reminds us to make a 'morning offering' - that is, to start every day with a prayer to offer up all our thoughts, words and actions of the day for the glorification of God. Then we need to continue working at our loving relationship with our Creator.

In the Gospel we hear Christ saying to Zacchaeus "Come down quickly for today I must stay at your house." One day, just as quickly and distinctly He will call our names that we come to His house. Will we be ready or will we be in the middle of one of those good works done for our own credentialing and resume'-building?

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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posted by joachim at 6:28 AM