The Catholic Calendar for Friday, February 17, 2006
Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Seven Servite Founders

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
James 2:14-24, 26
Psalm 112:1-6
Mark 8:34 to 9:1

A reflection on today's Scripture. . . .

"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it..." (Mark 8:35)

Many remain unaware that by calling themselves Christian, they are automatically assuming an obligation to become Christ's disciples. Discipleship requires more than a mental acceptance of our Lord's teachings; it requires a change of heart, a humility that actually wills to live in His every word. True Christians must submit themselves to being sanctified, made holy by God's Holy Spirit. Failure to allow this is the reason why so many Christians are called hypocrites by the world; they simply do not "walk their talk."

James elaborates by saying that faith without works is useless, for genuine faith requires our fulfilling Christ's every word. The love in which we are called to live means more than total dedication to God; it is also a deep, sincere concern for others. Conversely, if we simply do good apart from living a loving faith in God, we can become prideful, filled with our own goodness and generosity and so actually dishonor God. Too easily, those most gifted by God often forget that He is the Source of all they are and all that they own. The more we are given, the more He expects us to share of His goodness with others.

Jesus takes these thoughts further by telling us that self-denial goes far beyond our simply sharing our goods with others. His followers are called to take up their cross, exercise painful denial by becoming like Him in accepting without retaliation the sufferings and privations inflicted upon us by sinful people. When Jesus speaks of "dying" to self, He means that we are to abandon all the destructive attitudes and behaviors practiced by this world and instead reflect our heavenly Father's love, forgiveness and generosity to all.

Lord God, open our eyes to Your deeds so that our every act may increase our sharing of the many blessings You have given us in this life. Amen

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

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2006 The Way, The Truth, The Life