The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 102:2-3,16-21
John 8:21-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's first reading we hear once again how the Israelites grumbled to Moses. It seems they would find anything to complain about and turn their backs on God. Whether it was the water, food or weather, they complained. But, when their condition changed, or when something bad happened, they ran to Moses to save them once again by interceding for them.

My mother always told me that one phrase we should never teach children is, "if only." Like the Israelites, we use this phrase a little too often and cannot seem to accept and cherish the things the Lord provides for us. For them it was, "if only we had something other than this manna to eat," or "if only we had stayed in Egypt." For us it may be, "if only I had a different job," or "if only I had married a different person." The bottom line is that God provides for us as we need and not recognizing these gifts keeps us from realizing our full relationship with Him.

Next time you start to say, "if only," stop, pause and finish the statement like this: "If only I spent more time thanking God and in worship, my relationship would be fuller." Then, enter into prayer with him and receive gifts beyond imagination.

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

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posted by joachim at 4:47 AM