The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
Luke 4:31-37

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“What is this word?” ask those who witnessed Jesus in today’s gospel. He spoke with such authority and power that unclean spirits fled, and the crowds were amazed. I have often wondered what it would have been like to hear him “live and in person.” How was he able to preach to thousands without the use of modern public address systems? How was he able to convert people using only his words, without the use of flip charts, Power Point presentations or streaming video? What is this word that commands such authority and power?

The Word is our God, live and in person. As St. John begins his gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” We all know that with God anything is possible and that is why He had no need of modern contraptions for thousands to hear him, be touched in their hearts and follow Him. The Word is God. The Word is complete. The Word has all power and authority.

The same is true today. The Word is there for us if only we’ll choose to listen -- it will teach us, transform us, chase away our troubles and bring us to eternal life. What is the Word saying to you today?

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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