The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, August 13, 2005
Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Joshua 24:14-29
Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 11
Matthew 19:13-15

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today we praise God for the glory that innocent children give to Almighty God. Without power and without agenda, they are the most open to showing God's glory, and least likely to oppose His Will. We thank God for all children. How many times parents or others will exclaim, "What a pity they have to grow up!” Or, "I hope they will always stay as good as they are now!”

And that is just what Joshua says to the people of Israel in today's first reading. He warns them to remain as good as the promise they have just solemnly made to God--to serve Him always, and to reject allegiance to any other gods. "If you are not,” he says to them, "you yourselves will be the ones to condemn yourselves on the day of judgment!”

And how about ourselves, who are far away from the innocence of our childhood? If we have not remained truthful, open, and faithful to God, who will condemn us? We ourselves will be the ones to acknowledge our guilt. We will throw ourselves out of heaven!

Dear Lord of the Covenant, strengthen those of us who, in weakness, have strayed from the covenant made long ago for us at Baptism. Forgive us, the wandering children. In the humility of Christian childlikeness, restore us to favor, and set us again on the path of spiritual growth. Amen.

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins@frontiernet.net)

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