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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posted by joachim at 4:17 AM