The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
St. Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17-19
Psalm 24:7-10
Mark 3:31-35

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's First Reading we glimpse real human joy. So often things that bring us happiness are so fleeting. We are told by the psalmist that they evaporate like early morning dew in the heat of the afternoon sun, like a flower that blossoms in the morning and withers by evening. Yet, we have these experiences and they, by nature make us want to enjoy them again and again.

Our challenge as follower's of Christ is to remember that lasting joy and happiness are not to be found on this earth, but are the rewards of those in heaven who persevere to the end.

Let us not however scorn moments of happiness in this life. They are given to us as a foretaste of eternal joy, and are a reason to be be hopeful. Instead, like David in today's First Reading, let us lose ourselves in moments of complete abandonment in spontaneous praise and thanksgiving to God.

- Donna Nelson, OCDS (drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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