The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, September 29, 2005
The Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, archangels

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Revelation 12:7-12
Psalm 138:1-5
John 1:47-51

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel." (John 1:49)

Today's readings begin with the Old Testament's description of the cosmic battle being waged between good and evil. Daniel had a vision of God in His Judgment Seat and saw the slaying and burning of the beast, the defeat of Satan who sought to corrupt mankind created in God's image, and prevent Him from bringing salvation to humanity.

In John's New Testament "Revelation," the dragon (satanic evil) is fought by the Archangels who prevented his seizing the Christ Child from Mary and swept Him to safety. It is this Holy Child grown to full manhood and perfection in His spirit who gave to God's people both salvation and the power to achieve it. Jesus, the sacrificial lamb, perfect and without blemish of any sin, conquered evil by the shedding His blood and redeemed us by putting our sins to death in His own human flesh. His act invites us, through the power of His grace given us by His Holy Spirit, to also die to our sins and so "work out" our salvation through obedience to Him, God's living Word of Life.

Today's Gospel finds Jesus gathering men to become His Apostles, to bear God's healing love into this world. Encountering Nathaniel, Christ saw into the heart of this man whom He saw in fervent prayer and invited him to join His group. Though at first skeptical, after seeing and hearing Jesus, Nathaniel instantly recognized His Divine Nature. The truly faithful in whom the power of the Holy Spirit is strong, recognize God's presence in one another. Why then did Jesus also choose Judas, His betrayer? God's mercy will, up to the last moment of our lives, give us every opportunity to be saved.

O merciful Redeemer, draw us and hold us in deep and genuine prayer; that, knowing You, we may be enabled to readily perceive and accept the good and reject all evil. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)