The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, August 14, 2005
The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
Psalm 67:2-3. 5-6, 8
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Matthew 15:21-28

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Pray and Hope in the Lord in Whom we Trust

The melody of the dialogue between the woman and our Lord, as she pleads for His removal of an evil spirit inhabiting the eternal soul of her child, is the example for us to pray, adore, pay homage, persist and intercede for God's merciful life within every soul. She demonstrates the exercise of the virtues of faith, hope, and love for God and their growing expression through her.

Our Lord creates each soul to indwell, and correspondingly to know, love and serve Him. Through baptism one begins that shared life as He bestows the treasured gifts of faith, hope and love by which one grows in that purpose. Faith, evidenced in the recognition of Who He is in relation to His creature, begets the Love that preserves, protects, honors, and shares that union. Hope voices the desire to know and love Him more and more.

O Lord, may we pray with trust in Your providential and merciful love, to give life to all. May we likewise grow in faith, hope, and love for You and hasten to bring You to others. Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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