The Catholic Calendar for Monday, February 27, 2006
Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Peter 1:3-9
Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9-10
Mark 10:17-27

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's Gospel, we learn that simply following the Ten Commandments is not enough. Jesus is asking for a deeper commitment - an emptying out of self to a new standard of love, a love which Jesus Christ Himself demonstrated while He was on earth. "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth...." Those words from Paul's Letter to the Colossians (see Col. 3:2), invite us to detach ourselves from the world, and to orient ourselves toward what lies beyond.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth....
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be....
No one can serve two masters...." (see Matthew 6:19-25)

We are constantly facing choices. The question is whether we choose for God or for our own earthly ambitions. And what is at stake is nothing less than our heavenly rewards! God rewards His people – that's the message of Scripture. He gives them "treasures in heaven" for being generous with their time, talents and money. And those who store up their treasures in heaven spend their life filled with and anticipating joy!

Jesus has given us a much higher law to follow -- a law that is humanly impossible to obey. God demands a love that is far greater than the greatest love a human could ever have! But it is Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, that gives us hope enough to sustain us. And the knowledge that God will protect us, and infinitely loves us. And what is of God will last. It belongs to the eternal life. Choose it, and it will be yours.

- Anne
(anne97@gmail.com)

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