The Catholic Calendar for Monday, May 30, 2005
Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Tobit 1:3;2:1-8
Psalm 112:1-6
Mark 12:1-12
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
In today's First Reading from the Book of Tobit we see the exercise of the Corporal Works of Mercy in action. In addition we see how those who practice them often become the source of criticism and in some circumstances, persecution. It is however, in the practice of merciful acts, that we emulate the greatest attribute of God, which is love in action.
Let us think about it and realize that love is not just a matter of thinking but doing, and ask the Lord to give us the grace and growing virtue to go beyond just knowing what is good, to doing good.
It is not a small matter, but one that requires God's help and our determination to grow in love. Perhaps putting a little list of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy on our bathroom mirror might remind us daily what discipleship must include. Then, please God, may no day go by that we should fail to demonstrate love of God and love of neighbor by these simple but necessary acts of love.
Corporal Works of Mercy:
Feed the hungry
Give drink to the thirsty
Clothe the naked
Harbor the harborless
Visit the sick
Ransom the captive
Bury the dead
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Spiritual Works of Mercy:
Instruct the ignorant
Counsel the doubtful
Admonish sinners
Bear wrongs patiently
Forgive offenses willingly
Comfort the afflicted
Pray for the living and the dead
- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)
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posted by joachim at 6:11 AM