The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 16, 2005
Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary time
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 12:37-42
Psalm 136:1, 10-15,23-24
Matthew 12:14-24

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The exodus of six hundred thousand men as well as their wives, children, and livestock--all in one night--from slavery in Egypt to freedom in Canaan--is truly beyond our imaginations. It was a stupendous work of a powerful God. No wonder that God wanted to be sure that Israel would never, never forget that night. It was to be celebrated with dramatic intensity each year, even to the present day.

It was this powerful God who also accomplished our redemption from sin to the freedom of adopted children through His Son Jesus. We, too, are commanded never to forget this action, but to celebrate it daily in liturgy of the Mass. Like the Israelites, we must be ever grateful for this event.

Unfortunately, we often take for granted this great action. Perhaps it will help if we ask ourselves the question, "What would life be like for me if Jesus had not loved me to the death, but rather had left me in slavery, alienated from God and from an eternal life of joy?" Think about that. You and I would have to helplessly accept the condition of alienation, emptiness, barred from love, forgiveness, and happiness.

Our only appropriate response is "Thank You, dear Lord. Forgive my insensitivity and ingratitude. Help me to appreciate your unending and incredible love."

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at frontiernet dot net)

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