The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, June 1, 2005
Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Justin, martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Tobit 3:1-11,16-17
Psalm 25:2-9
Mark 12:18-27

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Poor Tobit and Sarah in the first reading. To say they were having a bad time is an understatement! Despite their individual depressed states of mind however, each had the realization that they must turn their mind and hearts to God in prayer before they might end their lives. The reading depicts a 'happy ending' with the marriage of Sarah. They each had shown humility and the ability to reach out to God for help. God heard their prayer.

In the Gospel we hear the Sadducees asking Christ another hypothetical question about relationships in heaven. Christ understood what was in their hearts and pointed out to them two things: namely that they did not understand Scripture or the power of God. We do not have anyone removing the film from our eyes as did Tobit so he could see better and understand. Our aid to understanding Scripture is the Holy Spirit, but in order for the Spirit to work in us we need to be reading Scripture on a regular basis. How would we answer if Christ ask us that question. "Do you not understand Scripture or the power of God?" (Mark 12: 18-27)

- Joan of Jesus OCDS
jmurphy@utica.edu

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