The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, February 23, 2006
Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
St. Polycarp, bishop and martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
James 5:1-6
Psalm 49:15-20
Mark 9:41-50

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The two scriptures for today could really make a person nervous! The First Reading infers that we need to be aware of the poverty of others and to share our 'wealth'. The problem with that is though we may have only one-half a serving of meat for ourselves, we may be aware of others with no meat... or, maybe even no home. What are we to do? Where does it end?

The gospel also sounds disturbing because most everyone can think of sins they have committed with their hands or feet, and so forth. We are sinners! What are we to do? We aren't going to cut them off! What is the message here?

Little children are taught "STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN" as a means to safely cross a road. Maybe it's time to recall that rule and apply it to our everyday environment as we travel down the road of life. We can humbly, and in a trusting manner, place our very being -- our hands -- in those of Christ, and ask that He guide us through every act of our days. We pray that He might guide us to act appropriately with others. Meanwhile, we "Stop, Look, AND Listen!"

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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