The Catholic Calendar for February 28, 2005
Monday of the Third Week of Lent

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Kings 5:1-15
Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4
Luke 4:24-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's First Reading is a wonderful story that illustrates for me one of the ways God works to reveal His holiness. It seems that if we read carefully, we get a sense that the seeds for Naaman's conversion were carefully laid and took time and people to help bring them to fullness.

The Israelite child, a child of faith, passes on to her mistress a word about the power of the Holy One of Israel; she in turn passes it on to her afflicted husband, Naaman, who passes it on to his king the King of Syria. The king of Syria then provides Naaman with a letter of introduction to the King of Israel, who in turn sends Naaman to the prophet Elisha, who doesn't meet directly with Naaman, but instead sends a messenger.

In all these cases there was a time for acceptance and rejection of the hoped-for power to cure; and indeed Naaman almost "rejected the cure" except for the encouragement of yet others - his servants who encouraged him to do as Elisha's messenger had instructed.

The outcome is remarkable! Naaman is cured and proclaims that "there is no God in all the earth except in Israel."

So what's the lesson? For me, it is to pass along the Good News, not knowing on whose ears it will fall and when in God's time and way it will bear fruit.

- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, February 27, 2004
Third Sunday of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 17:3-7
Psalm 95:1-2,6-9
Romans 5:1-2,5-8
John 4:5-42

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Jesus is Tired . . .

. . . and stops to refresh Himself--and in so doing, sees sin--and asks her to "give Him to drink." She marvels at His request and He then offers her His drink that alone truly quenches and begets the wellspring within of eternal life.

His thirst for her soul is quenched in her belief that He is the Messiah, and subsequently the entire town drinks of this Truth and believes. The question of the unprecedented town for this conversion is answered when Jesus proclaims true worship derives not from a particular race or location; rather the hour is here when the Father seeks true worshipers in Spirit and in Truth.

Urged by His disciples to eat the food they have prepared, Jesus discloses He has been strengthened by food they do not know about. This "bread" that strengthens Him is doing the Will and finishing the Work of the Father.

We learn eternal life is sustained by the gift from Jesus of the interior wellspring that worships the Father in Spirit and Truth. The Bread that strengthens us is doing the Will and finishing the Work of the Father. We have all we need to live -- from, with and in Him.

O Lord, when we feel too tired to go on,
let us drink from what gives life to souls
and finish the Work of the harvest
to the glory of the Father worshiping in Spirit and Truth.
Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, February 26, 2004
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Micah 7:14-15,18-20
Psalm 103:1-4,9-12
Luke 15:1-3,11-32

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's readings concern an inheritance promised by God from ancient times, yet squandered by dissolute living. Micah is very sensitive to issues of social justice, and places the blame for the loss of Israel's prosperity solely on their shoulders. Nevertheless, he is confident that God will restore their inheritance through their prayer and repentance. He holds out hope to them.

In the Gospel, the prodigal son has also lost his inheritance through foolish waste. He is completely at fault for his impoverished state. What is remarkable is the father's yearning for his son's return. It would seem that he has spent anxious days and nights keeping a lookout for him. For his part, the son dreams of former days when he enjoyed the security and comfort of home. These memories haunt him so powerfully, that he decides to return and throw himself on his father's mercy. Is it just these memories, or is it the powerful love of the Father that subtlety draws him back?

What a lesson for us! We have all been guilty of sin at one time or another. Perhaps even now we carry a burden of guilt that needs lifting. Today's readings give us an assurance of our heavenly Father's great yearning to forgive us, to embrace us. In humble gratitude, let us throw ourselves on the mercy of such a kind parent, and joyfully return to his Love.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, February 25, 2004
Friday of the Second Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 37:3-4,12-13,17-28
Psalm 105:16-21
Matthew 21:33-43,45-46

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants. . . ?"

What will God do to those who reject Him in this life? I think the answer is all summed up in the actions of Christ on the Cross. He will love them unto death and beyond. They may still choose to reject Him, but He will give them every opportunity in the world to love Him first.

But more importantly, how might one reject God? It seems that there are at least two ways in which this is commonly done. One might start by rejecting God outright, denying Jesus Christ, and simply living as an atheist. This is the first and most clear-cut.

But another way of rejecting God is more insidious because it appears that we are not doing so. We raise up barriers between ourselves and others. We don't see God in all of those who approach us for help. We curse "the cars" that annoy us in traffic, we leave the poor unfed and unguarded, we abandon the weakest to the tender mercies of the government. We refuse to speak to someone because of a hurt or a slight that has occurred between us.

We have a million different subtle ways of rejecting God, but only one of accepting Him. In every byway and path of the day, we must look for Him and find Him. This is praying constantly. As we look upon those with whom we work, with whom we live, with whom we associate, even those whom we simply pass in the streets, we need to know that God has sent each of them into our lives for our instruction, edification, enlightenment, and ultimately our help in working out our salvation.

God loves us into eternity, let us do our very best to return the loving kindness of Our Lord.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, February 24, 2004
Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm 1:1-4,6
Luke 16:19-31

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't be convinced even if one should rise from the dead." (Luke 16:31)

God's loving patience provides His creatures with every opportunity to be saved. Yet we should not ignore Jesus' repeated warnings that hell is a very real and present danger. We don't know the actual moment our lives may end; therefore we must always be prepared to meet our God, be fit to live in the heavenly kingdom in His all-holy Presence. God cannot admit into heaven anyone who deliberately ignores or chooses to disobey living in His love and truth which has been clearly revealed to us by Christ Jesus.

Today's Gospel reading combines the two varieties of sin--those of commission and those of omission. The rich man in the Gospel may have fulfilled the letter of the "Law," but if he did so without considering the needs of one less fortunate through an overflow of God's love from within his heart, his works, though following the law, would remain fruitless.

The "good" we do, should touch people's hearts with God's life, His love and truth. Only in this way can others be drawn to Him, not merely to their human benefactors. Our life's choices are all important and the harm they may do to others cannot be ignored by God. He welcomes into heaven only those whose hearts have sincerely tried to live in and so convey to others Jesus Christ's self-giving love and holy truth.

O Blessed Lord,
You have offered us the gift of a new life
beginning now and extending throughout eternity.
Touch the hearts of all peoples,
that they may be converted and gain salvation.
Amen

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

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, February 23, 2004
Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
St. Polycarp, bishop and martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 18:18-20
Psalm 31:5-6,14-16
Matthew 20:17-28

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Thank goodness for the bold mother looking out for the status of her sons, the sons of Zebedee! She so clearly states the goals of so many, embedded in this secular society, all these more than two thousand years later. The wife of Zebedee, with her motherly enthusiasm for her sons, gives us the opportunity to hear the clear message of Christ one more time, even as He walks toward Jerusalem. It is the message of 'service' to serve our brothers and sisters. In case the disciples still didn't internalize the message, they would later see Christ kneeling at their feet, and humbly washing them at the Last Supper. It's a good message to ponder as we move along in this Lenten journey.

The second part of the gospel is a bit more complex, as Christ asks His disciples if they will be able to drink from the 'chalice' which He drinks, referring to the suffering which He will endure. Perhaps that is more difficult for us to answer. Most of us have an idea of how well we are doing at serving others. Evaluating how we do at drinking of the 'chalice' calls for an ongoing awareness of how we are at accepting and even embracing the day to day 'crosses' that come our way. We are not expected to go out and look for 'crosses' to bear. Most of us have more than enough crosses. It is how-accepting of those spiritual opportunities that is key.

In conclusion, it is consoling to realize from the very words of Christ, that His Father has prepared a place for each of us!

Holy Mary, who washed the feet of baby Jesus,
and later His bloody feet after the crucifixion,
please intercede for us.

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

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, apostle

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Peter 5:1-4
Psalm 23:1-6
Matthew 16:13-19

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"

This is Peter's reply to Jesus after being asked who he thought Jesus was. What faith it took to say this! While the Pharisees and other learned religious men were waiting for a political messiah to free their land from Roman occupation and tyranny, a relatively uneducated fisherman knew the truth. In response to Peter, Jesus says that it is not due to flesh and blood that Peter knows this, but only due to the Father revealing it to him.

Peter did not spend his time in the synagogue studying scripture and displaying his religiosity for all to see. No, he probably spent nearly every waking moment on his boat, striving to make a living, spending countless hours in quiet isolation with his nets. This is where Peter became truly blessed. He heard God speak the truth to him about His Son during his long hours of labor and during the hours of quiet work, not in endless study, meaningless public displays.

During Lent, we too, should follow Peter's example and labor in what we're called to do, and spend quiet time listening for a word from Almighty God to speak to us. It is there that we'll find renewal and revelation and come to receive the many blessings our Lord has for us.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, February 21, 2004
Monday of Second Week of Lent
St. Peter Damian, bishop and doctor of the Church

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
Daniel 9:4-10
Psalm 79:8-9,11,13
Luke 6:36-38

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's Scripture readings remind me of two very important points. First, that the history of man's sinfulness is long and treacherous and second, that God's mercy is never-ending. I know these points are nothing new, yet it seems particularly sad to read how over and over and over again man has transgressed the commands of the Lord ignoring with impunity the prophets that were sent to save him. Yet, in all of this, God has never given up on us and continues even to this day to extend His merciful hand.

What are we to do when faced with such undeserved forgiveness? Cry ourselves to death because we have been so bad? Sink into despair because of our unworthiness? That would be an easy thing to do, but God asks instead that we rise above our misguided tendencies and do something positive and possible.

Today's Gospel tells us what we must do: be compassionate, non-judgmental, forgiving, to love as we wish to be loved. This is what our loving and merciful God asks of us. He wants us to be like Him.

How can we do that unless we claim the saving power of His grace. We must, with all our faults and failings clasp His gifts of goodness to us and be transformed into what we currently are not. God invites us to do this. Shall we, like so many before us, fail to heed this merciful directive? Pray Lord, no!

- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, February 20, 2004
Second Sunday of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 12:1-4
Psalm 33:4-5,18-20,22
2 Timothy 1:8-10
Matthew 17:1-9

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The Transfiguration

Transfigured in their 'seeing' into His glory, Jesus reveals the truth of His victory before the sacrifice of His most fruitful passion. This glory in the Father who proclaims: "this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him" confirms in the memories of the souls of Peter, James and John, His victory they will see achieved. The gift of this vision is for them to behold in holy trust and obedience.

We 'see' Him who is beloved in His obedient listening in the Father, is gifted from the Father to us to likewise "hear and obey." In and through Him we become One.

Perhaps our soul's greatest fear is our failure of will to listen to, or obey, the One whom we desire to love -- and in Whom the Father loves us -- requiring Faith's trust that He will achieve all in the earth of willing souls. Our obediently listening to our Beloved Lord, transfigures the perpetual passion we suffer beneath our own crosses of temptations to pride, lusts, and self. We 'see' the glory of Peace transfigures Christ with the horror of sin dying in His purity of Innocence consumed. We too must enter victory through the Way of sacrificial passion.

O God, grant me the courage to carry the weight of sins of self and those which others would scourge, crown and crucify to me, for sure redemption in Him to Whom I obediently listen to bring glory to You, my One in all; my beloved. Amen

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, February 19, 2004
Saturday of the First Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Deuteronomy 26:1-19
Psalm 119:1-2,4-8
Matthew 5:43-48

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The command of God to love one's enemies has always been difficult. How can we love a terrorist? How can we love someone who has murdered a child, or a relative of ours, or someone revered by all as a saint? Love, although often accompanied by warm emotional feelings, is basically a decision. It's a decision to desire good for a person, especially eternal salvation. If the person in question has performed evil actions, then love includes the desire that the person undergoes a change of heart and repentance for those evil deeds. To this end, we must direct earnest and honest prayer.

True love of enemies includes our "body language". It is not enough to intellectually rationalize ourselves out of hatred for the person. It also includes favorable body language when one socially encounters the person. It includes polite speech that shows a respectful attitude, basic good will, and an openness to some dialogue. A cold, aloof "I forgive you" is no forgiveness at all; most people would interpret it as hostile, perfunctory, or just plain untruth.

"As we forgive those who trespass against us" can come back to haunt us on the day of judgment, especially if we have so brainwashed ourselves as to believe we are forthright and honest, fair and unbiased in our speech concerning such a one.

Humble prayer and frequent "dry runs" in encountering enemies, at least in our minds, can prove beneficial when the time comes for an actual encounter. An honest Christian will always pray that God will take away a hateful spirit, and will give us grace to actually turn an enemy into a friend.

Justice toward an enemy is a necessary requisite for peace and reconciliation.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, February 18, 2004
Friday of the First Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 18:21-28
Psalm 130:1-8
Matthew 5:20-26

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Leave your gift there at the Altar. . ."

This is one of the most instructive passages in the whole of scripture about how to put God first. Too often we spend our time thinking about those who have trespassed against us. We ponder our hurts, and even those things we have done to hurt others. These things must be reconciled. To the first group we must be willing to forgive, to the second group of concerns we must be willing to seek forgiveness.

The Church has given us divine means for seeking reconciliation with one another--the Sacrament of Penance or Confession. In this wonderful sacrament, we are reconciled with the Body of Christ and with God. That is, the sacrament repairs the breach we have caused through our own most grievous faults.

Frequent recourse to the sacrament is recommended by the Holy Father and by all of the great saints who have taught since its usage became common. In confession, we are transformed, we are reconciled, and we are worthy once again to approach the altar.

Lent is the season of repentance, of seeking within, of "spring cleaning." Let the cleaning also include our very souls. If you have not taken advantage of the Church's rich offering, by all means, hurry to do so. If you have, praise God and thank Him for His bountiful provision, which always calls us closer to Him.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, February 17, 2004
Thursday of the First Week of Lent
Seven Founders of the Order of Servites

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Esther C:12,14-16,23-25 or 4:17 (Esther's Prayer)
Psalm 138:1-3,7-8
Matthew 7:7-12

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Do to others what you would have them do to you." (Matthew 7:12)

Today we use the word "love" much too loosely by applying it to all that we enjoy: people, food, art, music, entertainment -- all this world offers. In doing so, we lose not only the meaning of genuine love but also ignore its Source: God. Today's readings reveal the nature of God's love, that which we're called on to apply to all our relationships with others. A careful reading of today's Scripture reveals that God's love, in practice, means attention to others' needs, compassion, mercy, tenderness, forgiveness and generosity.

Esther appears to us as a woman of deep faith, one who appeals for God's help with assurance that He will protect the innocent from their enemy. Our psalm continues in this theme, singing God's praises, worshipping Him for His kindnesses and everlasting promise of salvation. Christ further defines His Father's love, explaining that it is extended to all, even those who have fallen into sin. We humans, who have only a vague notion of the depth of God's love for humanity, wonder why God doesn't simply crush all who bring harm into this world. They do not realize that God desires salvation for everyone and waits patiently for sinners, giving them every opportunity to respond to His goodness and turn to Him for forgiveness and healing. Every soul is precious to Him, for He brought each into "being."

The latter statement implies that whatever God permits or ordains in our lives is always directed toward awakening us to the good He offers. We may not perceive this when faced with difficult situations or people; but His hope is that adversity will serve to draw us closer to Him to seek His strength, comfort and guidance. Christ conquered this world's sin and offers us a new life, one permeated by love, joy, peace and hope. The choice is ours.

Loving Father, Help us to honor You by truly respecting each person and living in the spirit of perfect love toward them. Amen

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

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, February 16, 2004
Wednesday of the First week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jonah 3:1-10
Psalm 51:3-4
Luke 11:29-32

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. (Psalm 51:19)

Much of the time, we can go through life full of plans and actions which we hope will help us on life's journey. We get a picture in our head of how our lives 'should' be or what course our lives 'should' take. We become so set on our goals and aspirations that we leave little room to receive, to receive the gifts that God wants to offer us and teach us.

Lent is a time when we consciously decide to make room to 'receive.' By denying some of our human habits and creating 'space' in our daily lives through some sort of denial or self-discipline, we allow God to speak to us in clear and uncluttered ways. Emptying ourselves allows God to recharge us with His Holy power, recreating us in new and wonderful ways.

Today, in this preparation period of Lent, let us continue to make this 'sacred space' for Jesus, so that as we draw closer to the Easter season, we can look forward to a rebirth with Jesus in the sacred mysteries

- Cliodhna Doyle
(cliadoyle at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Tuesday of the First week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 55:10-11
Psalm 34:4-7,16-19
Matthew 6:7-15

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

God was the first conservationist. In everything He created, there is efficiency, renewal and reuse. This is not only true for His physical creation, but his Word as well, as the prophet Isaiah tells us today in our first reading:

Thus says the LORD:
Just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
And do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
Giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

- (Isaiah 55:10-11)

The rains and snows are never lost. Once they do their work in the soil, they return to the clouds to start the process anew. The sun's energy is transformed into plants, animals and all living things to bring new life and new energy. The Lord's Word comes to us and it is also not without fruit, renewal and reuse. It enlivens us with His love, wisdom and guidance and in the end brings glory back to Him. May we be open to His ever-nourishing Word that makes our lives a gift to our Lord.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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Catholic Calendar for Monday, February 14, 2005
Monday of the First Week of Lent
St. Cyril, monk
St. Methodius, bishop

Click here for Lenten Regulations

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18
Psalm 19:8-10,15
Matthew 25:31-46

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

We know very well what God commands us to do. There is hardly any credible excuse that involves ignorance of God's law. Instead we cleverly make up other ploys like in today's Gospel: "Lord when did we see You hungry?"

Jesus puts that lame attempt of purported innocence to rest, once and for all. There is no acceptable excuse to avoid kindness to others -- for, as "often as you fail to do.... to the least of your brethren, you fail to do so to Me."

How often because of our broken human nature, do we fail to respond in kindness, fail to see Christ in others? Sin has so injured us that even when for the most part we want to and actually do treat others with love, we are always vulnerable to fall and fail miserably. For those who want to root out all sinfulness even small sins, what are we to do?

We might be tempted to give up and just accept that we're going to sin and forget troubling ourselves about it. Or, we could give to God even our brokenness, mishaps and failures that He might transform them into occasions of grace. When that happens it won't be long before we recognize when we have done wrong. It won't take much to see how careful we must be in the future; and finally, it will be just fleeting moments before we ask for forgiveness both from our Creator and from those who we have transgressed.

Saying "I'm sorry" and "will you forgive me?" are powerful healing words. May God give us the grace to have to say them less often, but in all necessary cases, quickly and earnestly.

"Lord when did we see you hungry, Lord when did we know Your need?"

- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)
<

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Catholic Calendar for Sunday, February 13, 2005
The First Sunday of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 2:7-9,3:1-7
Psalm 51:3-6,12-14,17
Romans 3:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights..." Matthew 4:1

The desert is a most desirable hostel for beloveds. This quiet, distraction-free environment, allows through unitive prayer and increasingly, self-emptying fasting, more room for All in one.


Jesus reveals in His desert fasting prayer, His total conforming of thought, will and desire in love to His Father. Love with one's whole heart, mind, soul and strength sheds more of self to take in more of the beloved.


Jesus perseveres without any 'thing' to sustain Him, consuming only the bread of grace. The will of Jesus strengthens for the next more painful yet loving step in self denial. His hunger is satisfied by the joy that obedience by doing the will of God brings to Him.


The soul, ravenous to the point of death with longing and desire for the presence of God, Who is the Bread that alone satisfies that hunger, who, once fed with His Love, tastes a satisfaction that it never wants to lose, nor take for granted.


The soul's most parched thirst for the holiness that makes one's soul pleasing to this Love for which one is ravenous, knows that precious quenching that His covenantal love bestows. To hunger for the Lord and be satisfied with the sweetness of His Love, makes one beg to hunger and thirst always so as never to lose awareness that He is All in all.


O Lord,
thank you for the gift of prayer and fasting this Lent
to strengthen our will
to grapple with temptations
to satisfy bodily lusts,
to resist imprudence which compromises life,
and to avoid pride which replaces the presence of Love.
We know that replacing Love
means one no longer hungers or thirsts for You:
our True Bread and Drink.
Amen.


- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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Catholic Calendar for Saturday, February 12, 2005
Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Click here for Lenten Regulations

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 58:9-14
Psalm 86:1-6
Luke 5:27-32

A reflection on today's sacred scripture:

Healing is in God's domain. Good physicians and scientists acknowledge this fact. Prayer of intercession is always acceptable in His sight. Jesus makes it very clear in today's Gospel that he has come for sick people. Now, all of us are sick in some manner or another. We are rarely free from physical ailments and conditions, especially as we grow older. And, of course, we are all sick from time to time with the burden of sin, whether it be an isolated fall to temptation, or a recurring tendency to give in to a habit of sin. Many of the saints declared publicly that they were sinners in God's sight. Sin is spiritual sickness that the Lord longs to heal in us.

Of course, to be healed, we must acknowledge our sickness. How many times have we been distressed at the refusal of a relative or friend to seek medical help from sickness? The same is true of spiritual sickness. Lent is a time for acknowledging our spiritual sickness, and sometimes our physical sickness, especially if some condition results in great distress to our friends and family.

Keeping in mind the great compassion of Jesus, we need to reflect on what needs healing in our lives. Then, we need to turn to the Lord in faith for His healing touch, and pray that in all circumstances, His will be done.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Friday, February 11, 2005
Friday after Ash Wednesday
Our Lady of Lourdes

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 58:1-9
Psalm 51:3-6,18-19
Matthew 9:14-15

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Can the Wedding Guests Mourn. . . "

This very brief passage from the Gospels is looking forward to the time of the Passion, which we'll remember solemnly after the end of Lent. During this time of repentance and remembrance, we observe two fasts and a small sacrifice of abstinence. We seek to remake our lives and to start over.

In doing so, hear the message that may be hidden in this passage--the message that bypassed His audience at the time, but which comes down to us because we know all the circumstances. Jesus asks the followers of John whether or not it is right for the wedding guests to fast while the bridegroom is amongst them. The answer to this is, of course, "No." We would not fast in a season of joy. We would not withhold our blessing from those whom God has blessed. Jesus foretells of a time when the bridegroom will be taken away.

But we have passed that time. The bridegroom left only momentarily. And now, because of His great sacrifice He is with us always, unto the end of the age. So mourning must be put off. We enter into His gates with shouts of joy. Even though we repent, it should be a joyous shedding of the weight of all of our sins. It can be a celebration of the new life that comes when we crawl out of the cocoon we have made for ourselves. The Bridegroom is with us, let us act so as to honor Him. Let us put off our old shriveled, sinful self, and join the Bridal party.

And know this--if we choose to do so, we shall be surprised to find that not only are we at a Wedding Feast, the wedding is for us. Our souls the Bride and Christ the Bridegroom. As we, through acts of penance and through the merciful grace of God put off the old self, we enter into our new life, our life of joy and delight in His presence. This is what Lent can begin in us--let us seize the opportunity.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Thursday, February 10, 2005
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
St. Scholastica, virgin

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 1:1-6
Luke 9:22-25

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

What profit is there for one to gain the whole world,
yet lose himself? (see Luke 9:25)

One of our favorite pastimes is seeking scapegoats. When our lives go badly, we assign the blame to God, people or circumstances. Our eyes remain shut to the fact that "what goes around, comes around." Our Old Testament readings emphasize this point; human choices are all important and their consequences are inescapable. Christ's words in today's Gospel strongly affirm this.

Our problems stem from not fully understanding the purpose of Christ dying for our sins, taking the punishment we deserved upon Himself so that God's justice could be satisfied, thereby restoring our friendship with, our Father, the all-holy God.

It was done to show us that true belief in Jesus means that we too must learn to die to our human flesh. This doesn't mean a literal death, ending our physical lives; it means that we must stop obeying all our selfish wants and whims and instead listen to and heed the Holy Spirit. He will teach, guide and sustain us, enable us to live in God's holy Word, made incarnate in Jesus Christ. Christianity requires dying with Jesus to this sinful flesh by living in God's truth and love.

Here is the "rub." Self-denial is painful, and so are the crosses that our own and others' sins cause us. Choosing to love everyone in a world filled with people whose actions and words can negatively affect our spiritual, mental and physical health is difficult and learned slowly. This world's sufferings can never cease while some persist seeking only self-gratification. Those "opting" to gain this world's perishable goods and pleasures will forfeit the treasure of eternal life. Let us reflect deeply upon the meaning of the "ashes" we received yesterday, the price paid by Christ for our salvation and our debt of love to God.

Blessed Redeemer,
You told us that You are "the way, the truth and the life."
Touch hearts the world over to accept Your words
and to follow You faithfully each day. Amen.

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

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Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Ash Wednesday

Click here for Lenten Regulations

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Joel 2:12-18
Psalm 51:3-6,12-14,17
2 Corinthians 5:20--6:2
Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

As the Church enters into the holiest of seasons, the Lenten season, one is struck by the first reading from Joel. Anyone could spend the whole of Lent meditating on the first sentences which include "return to me with your whole heart." Many of us were raised with the concept that Lent was a time to give up something, like candy or our most favorite vegetable. The first reading emphasizes, yes, that we do give up something: namely ourselves in our ongoing act of love. Love means letting go, in this case, to love. Some people, if they are honest with themselves might even ask if they want to do so; do they really want to give their whole heart to God? It is a serious question.

The psalm and part of the second reading bring up the reality that we all are in need of the endless mercy of God. Not only do we turn to Him with our own love, but with our honest request for His mercy, for the times when we have failed. If we ask Love Himself to consume us, we want our 'house' to be in order. We cannot be divided, serving two masters.

The conclusion of the second reading and the gospel remind us that we give ourselves totally to God; not just for our own advantages, but rather "on behalf of Christ" in order that we continue His mission. These 'good deeds' are to be done so others do not see them. Likewise, our prayer is to be in private; but that these things will not go unnoticed by our Father.

Are we ready to give our whole heart to God?

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

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Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, February 8, 2005
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Jerome Emiliani, priest
St. Josephine Bakhita, virgin

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 1:20--2:4
Psalm 8:4-9
Mark 7:1-13

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,
because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.” (Gn 2:3)

While we are free from strict adherence to the Mosaic Law, there remain parts of it that still have meaning today. Keeping the Sabbath holy is one of them.

Years ago I knew a fellow Secular Franciscan who had a unique way of honoring the Lord's day. The day went something like this. First, early mass started the holy day followed by a day filled with family activities and nothing else. That meant the family spent the entire day together and played ball in the yard, read, prayed, napped and even prepared the evening meal together. There was no television or radio allowed, just good time together as a family and with the Lord. The result? This was one of the closest families I ever knew and remains so today as the two sons have matured, with one in the seminary.

The Lord rested on the last day. We should too, and will find rewards beyond belief.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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Catholic Calendar for Monday, February 7, 2005
Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 1:1-19
Psalm 104:1-2,5-6,10,12,24,35
Mark 6:53-56

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's Gospel selection is very short and reiterates for us the reaction that people had to Jesus. It seems that word of His healing power proceeded Him and everywhere He went people brought their sick in hope that they would be healed. Again we hear that people thought that if they even just touched the tassel on His garments they would be healed.

It is a scene that we, many centuries later, find difficult to imagine even though we have heard the stories over and over. Perhaps, that is our problem; we've become desensitized to the Good News, take it for granted and have diminished its power for us.

Let us then, even if just for the briefest moments the next time we are blessed to receive Holy Communion, remember what's happening. We are touching more than just the garment of Jesus, we are taking Him to and into us so that in this mysterious way we assimilate Him. More than just being touched by or enfolded in His garment, Jesus allows us to possess Him, have Him, consume Him. More than a casual touch we have an opportunity for an encounter with the healing loving presence of God. What shall we make of this? How shall we approach Him? How shall we praise Him?

- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Sunday, February 6, 2005
The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 58:7-10
Psalm 112:4-9
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Matthew 5:13-16

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Your good deeds glorify your heavenly Father" (see Matthew 5:16)

Each soul is created to be in the image and likeness of God. Jesus instructs us to 'make present to all' this image of God, the very salt and light of our existence, in a manner like these essential elements. We present this glorifiable God 'present within us' by our deeds, as one quietly introduces salt to cooking and light readily dispels darkness.

Salt is quite unseen, yet enhances the flavor of all it touches; it preserves and protects food from ruin. The love we extend to others through the graces of 'God with us' reveals His goodness through these deeds and evokes a response with beauty to His glory. Our effort of will to 'make known His presence within us' in our daily duties achieves quietly for life what salt achieves for food: goodness, protection and preservation of the good. If we fail to act, we fail to bring God where He desires to be, everywhere. God is quite missed as salt is longed for where not included.

Light reveals what darkness veils, quietly facilitating understanding, safe passage, growth and warmth. Light instills assurance, confidence and discovery. Our vigilant good deeds through love for God and others reveal Him. We become as the light of the wise virgins watching always for their beloved, espoused One, the tabernacle vigil lamp making known Jesus' presence, the soul enlightened by God, careful to keep Him bright with purity, humility and love.

O Lord,
may we be vigilant bearers of your presence within us,
as salt and light,
that others may taste and see how lovely and loving you are.
Amen

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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Catholic Calendar for Saturday, February 5, 2005
Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
St. Agatha, virgin and martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 13:15-17,20-21
Psalm 23:1-6
Mark 6:33-34

A reflection on today's sacred scripture:

There is nothing quite as frustrating as trying to find quiet time alone or with a beloved spouse or family or friends. Just when a well-earned day off or vacation trip is planned, something comes up at the last minute to prevent it. Or there is an invasion of the quiet place that destroys the peace we had so counted on.

Jesus found the same problem. In today's Gospel, He urged His followers to join him for some quiet time, only to find the place invaded by those seeking healings and miracles. When we read about this incident, we can protest, "It's not fair!" But, did Jesus respond with irritation and rudeness? Not at all.

Leisure time is good--make no mistake about it. Often, it's the only way that God can speak some special message to us. We need that time. Such interludes are not a waste of time, but really making the best use of the gift God has given us. The word "recreation" is the clue--time to be "re-created", to be made over, a time for God's wisdom to direct and shape our mission.

What must we do when that time is shortened or destroyed, or that space is invaded or spoiled in some way? We should respond graciously as Jesus did, and find that the Father's will takes precedence over our own. God is still speaking, but in a different way. He is speaking through the people and circumstances that try one's soul. After we have reacted charitably and patiently to the situation, we should immediately start planning another "time apart" where we can collect our energies, and hear what God had intended to say the first time. Remember, He has quite a bit to say to us that can be communicated in no other way.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Friday, February 4, 2005
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 13:15-17,20-21
Psalm 23:1-6
Mark 6:30-34

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"For you also are in the body. . ." (Hebrews 13:3)

This was echoed in the seventeenth Century by John Donne who cautioned us, "Never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee." (Devotions upon Emergent Occasions XVII). But this is often taken out of context. The whole of the devotion focuses on the fact that no man is an island, but every person is part of the body.

We are all part of the body of Christ, therefore we are one body in Him. Does it make sense for the hand to hate the foot, or the stomach to hate the brain? As part of one body, hatred and anger simply are not options to us. We are one body--as such we must operate as one body despite the fact that a recalcitrant knee gives pain to the whole. We do not simply remove the knee, we seek to make it better.

When we deal with others, we should always keep in mind that they are part of us. When we visit the prisons, whether or not the person is justly or unjustly imprisoned, we should recall that we too are there. Wherever there is part of the body of Christ, we are there. And so we should care for one another as we care for ourselves. When something goes wrong with one part of us physically, we visit the doctor. So too, when something goes wrong with part of the Body of Christ, we need to take ourselves to the Divine Doctor, who heals all ill and ask Him to touch and heal the body.

As we hear about illness in the Body of Christ, let us seek not to repudiate, but to take the body to the Lord in prayer. Let us be thankful that we have been given the charge to care for one another. God has incorporated (literally--put into a body) all of us into a body that has Christ as its head. When we are tempted to anger or tempted to lash out, let us recall that we "also are part of the body."

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Thursday, February 3, 2005
Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Ansgar, bishop
St. Blase, bishop and martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 12:18-19,21-24
Psalm 48:2-4,9-11
Mark 6:7-13

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Whatever place does not...listen to you, leave...shake the dust
off your feet in testimony against them. (Mark 6:11)

The Supreme Court of the United States continues to re-interpret, actually rewrite, our Constitution to satisfy liberal tastes by forbidding the mention of religion in public schools. It matters not to the court that our Constitution embodies the morality and ethics of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

While denying the truth that our nation was founded on the precepts handed down to us by the One True God, they would have us accept instead "secular humanism," which is also a religion, one that worships "self" as the final, supreme authority. In consequence, we are opting for developing a societal chaos by shutting out the alternative view that requires self-discipline and love toward God and neighbor.

Christ empowered His Apostles to heal and deliver people from their captivity to sin and show the way through which they could establish a just and peaceful society. All of human history reveals an unceasing murderous violence and gross injustices, yet in our children's study of history we deliberately omit God's revelation of Himself in Christ Who teaches the means and provides the grace to live peaceful, holy lives.

Our free will retains our right to reject Christianity and its tenets, but how do we dare to keep the world in ignorance of historical realities which originally shaped our Western World's morality and ethics? The fact is that Christianity is the only religion whose founder declared Himself to be the One, true Son of God, our Savior. We choose to reject Him and call Him a liar because His "light" exposes our sin and defines healthy, life-giving human behavior.

God of all truth,
open our eyes to the One True Light of the world,
that we may repent of our sin
and reform our lives
through joyful acceptance of Your Word.
Amen.

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

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Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, February 2, 2005
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 24:7-10
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Often when I read about the early life of Jesus I am struck by the normality of His upbringing and how despite His divinity he still progressed through all the stages of life and rites of passage as was befitting a boy of His age and custom. It's an incredibly wondrous thing that Jesus lived our life and experienced our ways in order to partake fully in the human experience.

Only too often we can play the 'waiting game' in our lives--waiting for some big event or 'big bang' experience to hit us in order to give a greater meaning or understanding to our lives. But if we look at the early life of Jesus we understand that it's the little things in life, the little experiences, the rites of passage, the small encounters that ultimately define us and lead us to holiness and peace if we allow it.

Today, let us not wait for the future to unfold. But instead, let us embrace the little details of today, understanding that this is truly God's gift to us and is our path to Jesus.

- Cliodhna Doyle

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Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, February 1, 2005
Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 12:1-4
Psalm 22:26-28,30-32
Mark 5:21-43

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

For me, one of the most beautiful healings that Holy Scripture accounts for us is the healing of the woman who had been afflicted for 20 years with hemorrhaging. It wasn't until recently however that I understood that this women, by Jewish customs, was not even supposed to be in public because she was considered unclean. Can you imagine not only the physical distress, but the emotional stigma of being considered "unclean"? Yet with faith that defied even the customs of her times, she dared to approach Jesus and to touch the hem of His garment in an attempt to avail herself of the healing powers that she believed He had.

"Now," must have thought the disciples, "every one would want to touch Him."

And yet, do we? Do we take even the smallest step or risk to be touched and healed by Jesus? Do we hold back either because of lack of faith or because we fear to put our lives into His hands?

Let us ask ourselves: What things would we like to be healed from; and then let us ask for the grace of the Holy Spirit to approach the Source of all healing--of all well-being: Jesus.

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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